NY A08830

Authorizes local governments (counties, cities, towns, villages, and school districts) to conduct elections using ranked choice voting for specified offices in 2026 and 2027 on a trial basis.

Allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference; if no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and their votes transferred to voters' next choices until a candidate achieves a majority.

Requires local governments to adopt a resolution implementing ranked choice voting at least 180 days before the election, subject to a permissive referendum, and only applies when three or more candidates are nominated for an office.

Mandates ballot design to clearly show ranking instructions and requires election officials to ensure voting systems can accommodate the ranked choice method; requires voter education campaigns explaining the system.

Expires December 31, 2027, allowing the legislature to evaluate the pilot program before considering broader application of ranked choice voting statewide.