We wanted to let you know that there was another effort in the Iowa State Legislature, banning the use of Ranked Choice Voting in all Iowa elections, that was introduced and passed by the two chambers of the state legislature.
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SF 459, is solely a ban on Ranked Choice Voting, and accomplishes nothing legislatively. RCV is already not legal in Iowa. No jurisdictions are actively pursuing it. The action is empty symbolism. Undoing the legislation will be no harder than legalizing RCV in the first place.
- SF 459 was "killed" in the house in order to prioritize the RCV ban in HF 954.
- HF 954 covers a range of voting issues and buries the RCV ban deep in Division II.
Ranked Choice Voting is not legal in Iowa, banning it accomplishes nothing legislatively. The action is empty symbolism.
We were expecting this based on last year's ban bill (that died in the Senate) and national trends, and we have been ready with an action plan. This year, more than any past year, we mobilized the media and our supporters to gain the messaging high ground.
Here's Other Ways That You Can Help:
#1 Keep An Eye On Your Email
We send all of the instructions for advocacy and lobbying opportunities via [email protected]. Check to make sure that our emails aren't going to your junk folder.
If you haven't signed up as a supporter/opted into emails, you can here.
(Note: we typically send 1-2 emails a month, unless it's the legislative session - then we send an email with each substantive update/action needed)
#2 Join Our Ban Bill Strategy Team
We have a regular strategy meeting every Monday from 7-8pm CT. Join to offer feedback, suggestions, or volunteer to take on action behind the scenes.
Interested? Use this link to email hello@betterballotiowa.
#3 Write a Letter to the Editor
We are using this opportunity to spread the word high and wide about Ranked Choice Voting. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper to educate the public of the ban/the merits of RCV & show the legislators people want RCV.
We have many resources and have been doing periodic events to help with letter writing. Interested? Use this link to email hello@betterballotiowa
#4 Spread The Word!
Take this opportunity to educate friends and spread the word. Even if they are new to Ranked Choice Voting, any reasonable person should see the value in having this important conversation. THAT is what we're asking for.
Press
Newton Daily News - Letter to the Editor: Iowans need more choices, not division
Listen to Christopher Peters on The WHO Morning Show With Jeff Angelo
Ban Bills' History
These bills were rammed through the legislature at a breakneck speed.
- SF 459 (formerly SSB 1128) was pre-filed by the Iowa Secretary of State.
- 2/19/25 - SF 459 voted on and passed by Senate subcommittee
- With <48 hours notice, we posted 75+ public comments on the bill, had 45 supporters attend the hearing, gave 10+ testimonials (including a national Republican leader with RCV experience) at the hearing
- Despite this, they rammed the bill through anyway.
- 2/26/25 - the Senate State Government Committee voted on the bill
- With <48 hours notice, we sent the committee 3,145 emails to vote no
- Despite this, SF 459 passed via party line vote (12 yay, 5 nay)
- 3/5/25 -the House State Government Subcommittee held a public hearing on HF 954 (formerly HSB 281)
- With <24 hours notice, we posted 42 public comments on the bill and showed up to testify in person.
- They passed HF 954 anyway.
- Note that the full committee vote was already scheduled before the subcommittee hearing, they were not interested in listening to the will of Iowans.
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3/6/25 - the House State Government Committee voted on the bill
- With <48 hours notice, we sent the committee 2,964 emails to vote no
- Despite this, HF 954 passed via party line vote (14 yay, 7 nay)
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3/19/25 - the full Senate voted on the bill, forgoing the standard curtesy notice, giving us less than 12 hours to respond.
- Senator Trone Garriott proposed an amendment to legalize RCV for municipal elections, but was rejected via party line vote (13 yay, 34 nay).
- SF 459 passed through full Senate vote via party line vote (34 yay, 13 nay).
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3/25/25
- With <24 hours notice, the full House voted on this bill, forgoing the standard curtsey notice (typically 48 hours), 80 constituents sent emails to their representatives.
- HF 954 passed along via party vote (65 yay, 31 nay)
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4/1/25
- HF 954 was voted on and passed by the Senate subcommittee
- We had 10 supporters attend the subcommittee hearing and submitted 31+ public comments in support of Ranked Choice Voting.
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4/2/25
- HF 954 was voted on by the Senate State Government Committee (13 yay, 5 nay)
- Note that the full committee vote was already scheduled before the subcommittee hearing, they were not interested in listening to the will of Iowans.
- 4/7/25 - the full Senate voted on the HF 954, forgoing the standard curtesy notice, again, giving us less than 12 hours to respond.
- We sent 204 emails and called 7 senators.
- Senator Trone Garriott proposed an amendment to legalize RCV for municipal elections, but was rejected
- HF 459 passed through full Senate (34 yay, 13 nay).
This breakneck speed is by design: no time for debate or discussion.