Bill
SB 2004
Illinois would add Article 22A to permit local units to run primary/general/special elections by ranked-choice voting, with rules on ballots, tabulation, and education.
Note on conflicting metadata
- The header information you provided (title: “Environmental protection; prohibit contamination of clean soil with ‘forever chemicals.’”, subject, and stated status “Died In Committee”) does not match the bill text included below. The legislative text attached to SB 2004 amends the Illinois Election Code to create a new Article 22A authorizing ranked‑choice voting (RCV) for local elections. This summary focuses on the actual bill text provided. Verify the official bill file or legislative website for the definitive title and current status.
Purpose and intent
- To add a new Article 22A to the Illinois Election Code permitting units of local government to conduct local primary, general, or special elections using ranked‑choice voting, and to set rules for ballot design, tabulation, and administration of RCV elections.
Key provisions
- New definitions (Sec. 22A‑1): includes terms such as “active ballot,” “active candidate,” “ranking,” and “round.”
- Local option (Sec. 22A‑5): A unit of local government may opt to conduct any local primary, general, or special election by ranked‑choice voting. A locality choosing RCV may avoid holding a separate runoff election.
- Locality responsibilities: If implementing RCV, the locality must:
- Specify whether RCV will apply to single‑seat elections, multi‑seat elections, or both.
- Ensure voting equipment is RCV‑compatible and certified by the State Board of Elections.
- Provide voter education materials explaining RCV.
- Ballot ranking limits (Sec. 22A‑10):
- Single‑winner RCV: ballots must permit voters to rank candidates in order of preference (text in the provided copy is truncated and does not show the minimum number of rankings allowed).
- Multi‑winner RCV: ballots must allow voters to rank at least four more candidates than the number of seats to be filled (including declared write‑in candidates). If fewer candidates are available than required rankings, the number may be reduced as necessary; ranking allowances must be uniform for each office.
- Tabulation rules (Sec. 22A‑15):
- Single‑winner: instant‑runoff style — if no candidate has a majority of active ballots, the lowest candidate is eliminated and their ballots transfer to next‑ranked active candidates; repeat until a candidate has a majority.
- Multi‑winner: uses a quota (total valid votes divided by (1 + seats), rounded down, plus one — i.e., a Droop quota). Candidates meeting the threshold win; surplus votes are partially transferred; if no one reaches the quota the lowest candidate is eliminated and transfers proceed. The State Board will issue guidelines/best practices for multi‑seat administration.
- Ballot treatment:
- Defines “undervote,” “overvote,” “repeated ranking,” “skipped ranking,” and “inactive ballot.”
- Ballots remain active for the highest‑ranked active candidate despite skipped or repeated rankings; undervotes and overvotes are handled per the definitions.
- Candidate withdrawal or disqualification after printing is treated as elimination for tabulation unless law provides for a substitute.
- Ties: ties for fewest votes that block tabulation are resolved by lot; result must be recorded and used in recounts.
Who would be affected
- Units of local government in Illinois (cities, counties, other local jurisdictions) that choose to adopt RCV.
- Voters in those jurisdictions (changes to ballot experience and how votes transfer).
- Local election administrators and the State Board of Elections (new certification, guidance, tabulation procedures).
- Voting system vendors (need RCV‑compatible, certified equipment).
- Potential fiscal impacts: costs for new/updated voting equipment, training, and voter education; potential savings by eliminating separate runoff elections.
Procedure, timeline, and caveats
- The provided bill was introduced (per document) in February–March 2025 and is an “Introduced” version of an amendment to the Election Code. The text provided is truncated in several places; some specifics (e.g., the minimum number of rankings for single‑winner contests) are missing.
- The legislative actions list you provided contains many conflicting entries (including later “Signed by the Governor” and “Effective 9/1/25”) that contradict the earlier “Died In Committee” status. Please consult the Illinois General Assembly website or the Secretary of State’s bill status page for the current official status and the final enrolled language.
Related legislation
- Companion bill: HB 3962 (check that bill for differences or final language).
Recommendation
- Verify the final, authoritative bill text and current status on the Illinois General Assembly website before relying on these provisions for implementation or legal analysis.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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