Task Force on the Implementation of Approval Voting and Ranked-Choice Voting

EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0800*

SENATE BILL 800
G1 6lr3023
CF 6lr3453
By: Senator McKay
Introduced and read first time: February 6, 2026
Assigned to: Education, Energy, and the Environment

A BILL ENTITLED

AN ACT concerning 1

Task Force on the Implementation of Approval Voting and Ranked–Choice 2
Voting 3

FOR the purpose of establishing the Task Force on the Implementation of Approval Voting 4
and Ranked –Choice Voting; and generally relating to the Task Force on the 5
Implementation of Approval Voting and Ranked–Choice Voting. 6

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 7
That: 8

(a) There is a Task Force on the Implementation of Approval Voting and 9
Ranked–Choice Voting. 10

(b) The Task Force consists of the following members: 11

(1) one member of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; 12

(2) one member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the 13
House; 14

(3) the State Ad ministrator of Elections, or the State Administrator’s 15
designee; 16

(4) one representative of a county government, designated by the Maryland 17
Association of Counties; 18

(5) one representative of a municipal government, designated by the 19
Maryland Municipal League; and 20

(6) the following members, appointed by the Governor: 21

2 SENATE BILL 800

(i) one representative of a local board of elections; 1

(ii) one representative of an institution of higher education in the 2
State who has expertise in political science, public administration, or election systems; 3

(iii) one representative of a nonprofit organization with expertise in 4
election administration or voter engagement; 5

(iv) one representative of a civil rights organization or voting rights 6
organization; and 7

(v) one individual with expertise in election systems. 8

(c) The Task Force shall designate the chair of the Task Force from among its 9
members. 10

(d) The State Board of Elections shall provide staff for the Task Force. 11

(e) A member of the Task Force: 12

(1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Task Force; but 13

(2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State 14
Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 15

(f) The Task Force shall: 16

(1) review how approval voting and ranked–choice voting are used in other 17
states and local jurisdictions in the United States; 18

(2) evaluate potential administrative and fiscal impacts of approval voting 19
and ranked–choice voting on the State Board of Elec tions and local board s of elections, 20
including impacts related to ballot design, certification, tabulation, voting equipment, and 21
voter education; 22

(3) examine potential impacts of approval voting and ranked–choice voting 23
on voter participation, voter understanding, election outcomes, and representation; 24

(4) consider whether pilot programs or local option authority regarding of 25
approval voting and ranked–choice voting would be appropriate; 26

(5) analyze the constitutional and legal considerations as sociated with 27
implementing approval voting and ranked–choice voting; 28

(6) identify statutory or regulatory changes required to authorize or 29
implement approval voting and ranked–choice voting; and 30

SENATE BILL 800 3

(7) develop findings and recommendations for legislative or administrative 1
action. 2

(g) On or before December 1, 2027, the Task Force shall report its findings and 3
recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2 –1257 of the State 4
Government Article, the General Assembly. 5

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 6
October 1, 2026. It shall remain effective for a period of 1 year and 9 months and, at the 7
end of June 30, 2028 , this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, 8
shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect. 9