Ranked choice voting a possibility in future Illinois elections

Posted on August 14, 2023
A new task force will look into changing the way Illinoisans vote – through what is called “ranked choice voting.” (WJBC file photo)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – A bill the governor has signed could introduce “ranked choice voting” to Illinois.

Voters “would have the opportunity to select their first, second, third, or more choices to ensure that one candidate gets at least fifty percent of the vote in an election,” says advocate State Sen. Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “So often, we see lower voter turnout, we see people that are elected where two-thirds of the electorate voted for someone else.”

Murphy says Evanston and Berwyn are already doing this locally. The new law creates a task force which would issue a report in March.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].

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