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Bill

AB 1165

Relating to: ranked-choice voting, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Clint Anderson and 13 co-sponsors

Wisconsin would implement ranked-choice voting for most elections, with the Elections Commission overseeing rules, funding, and system updates to support RCV nationwide.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · AB 1165

Summary of Assembly Bill 1165 (2025-2026) – Wisconsin

Brand: FE (Fiscal Eye)

Note: This summary covers the substantive provisions related to ranked-choice voting (RCV), rulemaking authority, and appropriation provisions described in the bill text.

1) Main purpose and intent

  • Establish and implement ranked-choice voting (RCV) for the election of federal, state, and local officials in Wisconsin, with certain exceptions.
  • Create and grant rulemaking authority to the Elections Commission to implement ranked-choice voting, including administrative updates, equipment/software changes, and secure technologies.
  • Authorize appropriations and grants to support the transition, implementation, and ongoing administration of RCV.
  • Reorganize and amend various election statutes to accommodate RCV processes, canvassing, ballot wording, notices, and certification procedures.

2) Key provisions and changes

A. Rank-choice voting system

  • All elections (except recall elections) would use ranked-choice voting for federal, state, and local offices.
  • Voters may rank as many candidates as there are on the ballot for a given office. Write-ins may be ranked if permitted.
  • Single-seat offices: If a candidate achieves a majority of highest-ranked votes, they win. If not, the lowest-ranked candidates are sequentially eliminated and their votes redistributed to voters’ next preferences until a candidate achieves a majority.
  • Multi-seat districts: Threshold is calculated as (total votes for open seats) ÷ (number of open seats) + 1, with an added 1 to the quotient (the “quota”); seats are filled by those reaching or exceeding the threshold, with subsequent rounds handling surplus votes and eliminations analogously to single-seat elections.

B. Canvassing and tallying under RCV

  • New canvass procedures and tallies (Section 7.62) are created to handle RCV tabulation, including:
    • Definition of “continuing candidates.”
    • Rules for transferring surplus votes using specified methods (e.g., Weighted Inclusive Gregory Method for surpluses in multi-seat rounds).
    • Detailed requirements for tally sheets, escalation of next preferences, and handling exhausted or skipped rankings.
    • Tie-breaking rules and sequencing across rounds.
  • Creation of new or renumbered sections governing canvass timing and public disclosure of results, including rounds of counting and explanation of reallocated votes.

C. Elections administration and rulemaking

  • Elections Commission is authorized to:
    • Create and update equipment, software, and secure technologies to support RCV.
    • Provide grants to counties and municipalities for RCV implementation and administration.
    • Publish notices and guidance as required by RCV rules (Type B/C/D notices adjustments).

D. Ballots, notices, and election administration

  • Ballot design and ordering provisions updated to reflect RCV, including how ballots are presented for presidential, gubernatorial, and other offices.
  • Revisions to primary and general election processes under RCV, including how party primaries and presidential preference primaries function.
  • Several sections relating to nomination procedures, special elections, school districts, and canvassing are amended or repealed to align with RCV procedures.

E. Appropriations and fiscal notes

  • Creates a funding structure for RCV:
    • A dedicated appropriation (20.510) for Elections Commission administration of ranked-choice voting, including public outreach, equipment, software updates, and grants.
    • Specific annual amounts appear in the schedule to implement and educate about RCV (Outreach and Education; ranked-choice voting).

3) Who/what would be affected

  • Elections administration at the state, county, and municipal levels:
    • Wisconsin Elections Commission, county clerks, and municipal clerks.
    • Election judges and canvass boards (new procedures for RCV tallies and recounts).
  • Voters:
    • Would be able to rank candidates for most elections; ballot instructions, ballot layouts, and notices would be RCV-oriented.
  • Political parties and candidate processes:
    • Primary procedures and the presidential preference process would adapt to RCV rules.
  • Local governments and school districts:
    • Some canvassing and reporting requirements are updated to accommodate RCV in municipal and school district elections.
  • Fiscal impact:
    • New appropriations to implement RCV, including technology upgrades and public outreach.

4) Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date and phased implementation: The bill lays out timelines for RCV adoption, canvassing, and the realignment of notices and procedures, with the Elections Commission to implement RCV rules and grant distributions.
  • Canvass and certification timing: The bill includes specific timing for canvasses (election night and subsequent days) and publication of results, tailored to RCV rounds.
  • Notices and ballots: Type B, D, E notices and sample ballot formats are updated; rules specify timelines for publishing and transmitting candidate lists and ballot content.
  • Repeals and renumbering: Several existing statutes are repealed or renumbered to integrate RCV, including certain sections related to traditional plurality voting and nomination processes (e.g., 5.58 repealed; 7.62 introduced for RCV canvass).

Note: The bill includes numerous technical amendments across scores of election-related provisions to align Wisconsin law with ranked-choice voting. The fiscal estimate and implementation details would be printed as an appendix to the bill and would guide exact funding timelines.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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