MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill Friday banning ranked-choice voting in the state, a move that has sparked debate among election experts and raised questions about the motivations behind the legislation.
The new law, set to take effect Oct. 1, 2024, prohibits the use of ranked-choice voting in most Alabama elections. Supporters claim it will simplify voting and protect election integrity, but critics argue it could have far-reaching implications for the state’s electoral process.
“Voting should be simple,” Ivey said in a statement. “This complicated and confusing method of voting has no place in Alabama’s elections.”
However, some political analysts suggest the ban could have more complex ramifications. Ranked-choice voting can sometimes benefit third-party candidates or challengers within dominant parties. Its prohibition maintains the status quo, which often favors incumbents.
The timing of the law, coming ahead of the 2024 elections, has drawn scrutiny from voting rights advocates.
Republican lawmakers, who control both chambers of the state legislature, pushed the bill through swiftly. Democrats, largely outnumbered, raised objections but were unable to block its passage.
Secretary of State Wes Allen defended the move, stating that ranked-choice voting “makes winners out of losers.” Critics, however, argue this characterization oversimplifies a nuanced voting system used successfully in other states.
As debates continue, the full impact of Alabama’s ranked-choice voting ban remains to be seen, with potential repercussions for future elections and the state’s political landscape.