Virginia Senate Passes Ranked Choice Voting Expansion

Richmond, VA — The Virginia Senate approved legislation today that would expand local authority to conduct elections using ranked choice voting. The bill (SB1009) would allow cities, counties, and towns to use ranked choice in elections for all local offices, including mayor and school board races. Under current law, localities can only use ranked choice in elections for city council and county board.

"This bill empowers local governments with the option to use ranked choice voting in all their elections, ensuring they have the flexibility to choose what works best for their communities," said the bill's patron, Senator Saddam Azlan Salim (Falls Church). "We've already seen successful implementation in Arlington and growing interest across Virginia."

Arlington County has used ranked choice to elect its County Board since 2023. The Board is now evaluating whether to make the pilot program permanent, but Board members have expressed frustration with the current law, which prevents the County from using ranked choice consistently for all local offices. "We don't yet have the permission to do that," said Board Member Susan Cunningham at a Board meeting last week. "If we did, it would make sense to do things all one way or the other."

Arlington Senator Adam Ebbin, the bill's co-sponsor, also praised its passage. "Elected officials should have the confidence of the majority of voters," he said. "With Senator Salim's bill, ranked choice voting could expand across Virginia, giving citizens access to more representative elections."

Arlington's successful ranked choice pilot has already sparked interest from other localities. Charlottesville will become the second Virginia community to use ranked choice voting during its City Council primary this June, and several other communities are actively exploring adoption. The Newport News City Council has tasked their Charter Review Committee with investigating ranked choice, and the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors has scheduled a February briefing to discuss potential implementation.

The legislation now heads to the House of Delegates for consideration.