HI SB427

Establishes ranked choice voting for special federal elections not held on regularly scheduled primary or general election dates and for special elections to fill vacant county council seats.

Requires votes to be tabulated in sequential rounds, with each ballot counting as one vote for its highest-ranked continuing candidate until a candidate receives the most votes in the final round.

Defines "last-place candidate" as the candidate with the fewest votes in each round and eliminates that candidate to proceed to the next round; ties are decided by lot.

Allows the Office of Elections to limit allowable rankings to no fewer than six and permits simultaneous elimination of multiple candidates determined mathematically impossible to be elected.

Takes effect July 1, 2030.