New Legislation Would Expand Ranked Choice Voting for Local Elections

Falls Church, VA — Senator Saddam Azlan Salim introduced legislation today to expand the use of ranked choice voting in Virginia. Under current law, Virginia cities and counties are only permitted to conduct ranked choice elections for city council and county board seats. The proposed bill (SB1009) would allow cities, counties, and towns to use ranked choice voting in elections for all local offices, including mayor, school board, and town councils.

The legislation builds on growing momentum for ranked choice voting (RCV) in the region. In November, Arlington held Virginia's first ranked choice election for county board, and Charlottesville voters will use ranked choice to nominate candidates for city council this June. Across the Potomac, DC voters approved a ballot measure to adopt RCV by an overwhelming 70% margin last November.

Support for ranked choice voting is growing as more Virginia communities aim to ensure that elected officials earn broad public backing in wide candidate fields. In 2024 alone, Richmond, Roanoke, Winchester, and Virginia Beach all elected mayors with support from less than half the cities' voters. Under ranked choice voting, mayoral candidates would compete in an instant-runoff election to ensure the winning candidate earns majority support from their community. 

The bill has already drawn support from elected leaders across Virginia. Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones praised the proposal in a recent editorial: 

"This year’s elections show it’s time for the General Assembly to expand [RCV] authority to all local offices. I hope our state leaders in Richmond will support expanding ranked choice voting and bring better elections to us all." 

SB1009 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Privileges & Elections, where it awaits a first vote.