North Carolina Pilot Project Legislation (H. 1024)
North Carolina Pilot Project Legislation (H. 1024)North Carolina counties would use instant runoff voting (IRV) in local elections in 2005-2006 in a pilot project introduced by Rep. Paul Luebke. On May 18 the bill received bipartisan approval in the North Carolina house by a vote of 79-32. Under Rep. Luebke's proposal, the State Board of Elections would work with up to ten counties interesting in participating in the project.
Much of the initiative for improving North Carolina's runoffs came from problems in the state's 2004 elections, which had only 3% voter turnout in a statewide runoff that cost more than $3 million of taxpayer funds. North Carolina legislators recognized that IRV could increase voter turnout, reduce the costs of elections and ensure more broadly supported winners. The bill now heads to the state senate.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2005 - H3
HOUSE BILL 1024
Short Title: Instant Runoff Voting Pilot (March 31, 2005)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to authorize the state Board of elections to conduct a pilot program in which the INSTANT RUNOFF METHOD OF VOTING WOULD BE USED IN LOCAL ELECTIONS.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1. The State Board of Elections shall select up to 10 counties in which to conduct a pilot program during the 2005 and 2006 elections. In selecting those counties, the State Board shall seek diversity of population size, regional location, and demographic composition. The pilot shall be conducted in a county only with the concurrence of the county board of elections. The pilot program shall consist of using the instant runoff method of voting, as described in House Bill 1024 (First Edition) of the 2005 Regular Session of the General Assembly, with modifications the State Board deems necessary, in primaries and/or elections for city offices, for county offices, or for both. The State Board shall not use instant runoff voting in a primary or election for an office unless the entire electorate for the office uses the same method.
SECTION 2. This act is effective when it becomes law. The State Board of Elections shall closely monitor the pilot program and report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly at its 2006 Regular Session and to the 2007 General Assembly.