HB 4707 Protects Michigan from Ranked-Choice Chaos

Lansing, Mich. – Today, Michigan Forward praised the advancement of HB 4707, which would ban the use of ranked-choice voting (RCV) in local, state, and federal elections across Michigan. The bill was reported favorably out of the House Election Integrity Committee along party lines and will go to the House floor.

RCV requires voters to rank candidates in order of preference, with ballots redistributed in multiple rounds until one candidate emerges. In cities like San Francisco and New York, the system has led to ballot exhaustion, miscounts, and long delays in reporting the results.

HB 4707 protects Michigan voters from this confusing and error-prone experiment, ensuring that our elections remain simple, safe, and accountable. The legislation safeguards the principle of majority rule and ensures that every vote counts equally.

“Ranked-choice voting is a confusing gimmick that undermines confidence in our elections and places a heavy burden on both voters and clerks,” said Mary Drabik, a spokesperson for Michigan Forward Network. “Democrats and their activist allies want to import this flawed system to Michigan because they can’t win on their record. We applaud Republicans like Rep. Rachelle Smit who are standing up for voters to ensure safe and secure elections, free from confusion and interference. Michigan Forward Network urges the House to act swiftly and pass HB 4707.”