NY A04495

Establishes ranked choice voting as a method where voters rank candidates by preference, with the lowest-polling candidate eliminated each round until someone wins a majority.

Mandates state board of elections to require all county boards to use ranked choice voting for state elections (general, special, and primaries) starting in 2023 and thereafter when three or more candidates are nominated.

Permits local governments (counties, cities, towns, villages, school districts) to voluntarily adopt ranked choice voting for local elections starting in 2023 through a governing body resolution approved at least 180 days before the election.

Requires ballots to allow voters to rank candidates numerically in order of preference, with ballot instructions explaining the system; mandates local governments conduct voter education campaigns on the ranked choice voting method.

Specifies voting procedures including counting first choices initially, eliminating lowest-vote candidates in successive rounds, and transferring votes to voters' next choices until a candidate achieves a majority; takes effect January 1, 2023.