Ohio Senate Bans Ranked Choice Voting, Withholds Local Funding

The Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 63, a bipartisan measure that effectively bans ranked choice voting by threatening to withhold state funding from local governments that implement the system. Senators Theresa Gavarone (R) and Bill DeMora (D) sponsored the bill, arguing that ranked choice voting causes voter confusion, delays election results, and is expensive to administer. Supporters of ranked choice voting, including advocacy groups like Rank the Vote Ohio and the Better Government Association, contend that the system promotes voter choice, reduces negative campaigning, and can be tabulated as quickly as traditional voting methods. Despite no Ohio local governments currently using ranked choice voting, the bill passed with a wide margin, including some Democratic opposition concerned about financial penalties for municipalities. The bill now proceeds to the Ohio House for consideration. Ranked choice voting remains in use in states like Maine and Alaska, and some cities nationwide, but Ohio lawmakers express skepticism about its practical implications and voter impact.