Voter Choice Act
H.R. 8462118th Congress

Voter Choice Act

Introduced in the HouseRep. Dean Phillips (D-MN-3)17 sections · 2 min read
Version: Introduced in House · May 17, 2024

Section 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Voter Choice Act.

(a) In general

Title V of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21121 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(a) Definition of ranked choice voting system

For purposes of this subtitle, the term ranked choice voting system means a set of election methods which allow each voter to rank contest options in order of the voter's preference, in which votes are counted in rounds using a series of runoff tabulations to defeat contest options with the fewest votes, and which elects a winner with a majority of final round votes in a single-winner contest and provides proportional representation in multi-winner contests.

(b) Program

The Commission shall establish a program under which the Commission—

(1) provides technical assistance to State and local governments that are considering whether to make, or that are in the process of making, a transition to a ranked choice voting system for Federal, State, or local elections; and

(2) awards grants to States and local government to support the transition to a ranked choice voting system, including through the acquisition of voting equipment and tabulation software, appropriate ballot design, the development and publication of educational materials, and voter outreach.

(1) Selection of grant recipients

To the extent possible, the Commission shall award grants under subsection (b)(2) to areas that represent a diversity of jurisdictions with respect to geography, population characteristics, and population density.

(2) Award limitation

The amount of any grant awarded under subsection (b)(2) shall not exceed 50 percent of the cost of the activities covered by the grant.

(a) In general

In addition to any funds authorized to be appropriated to the Commission under section 210, there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subtitle $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.

(b) Availability of funds

Amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization under this section shall remain available, without fiscal year limitation, until expended.

(1) Section 202(6) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20922) is amended by striking the Help America Vote College Program under title V and inserting the programs under title V.

(2) Title V of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21121 et seq.) is amended by striking the matter preceding section 501 and inserting the following:

(3) Section 503 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21123) is amended by striking title and inserting subtitle.

(4) The table of sections of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 is amended—

(A) by striking the item relating to title V and inserting the following:

(A) and

(B) by inserting after the item relating to section 503 the following:

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