Delegate Rasoul introduces bill to combat polarized tribal politics
ROANOKE, Va. (WSET) -- Delegate Sam Rasoul introduced the Depolarizing Politics Act, HB 360, which would drastically reshape Virginia's election systems.
According to a press release, the bill changes the polarizing primary process in Virginia through an innovative ranked-choice voting and true open primary system.
“Our current system only incentivizes candidates to listen to the base of both major parties," said Rasoul. "With this new election process, candidates will benefit from listening to all voices. This innovation will make it easier for the people—voters and elected officials alike—to come together across ideological lines."
The bill includes a provision that will create a ranked-choice voting system for general and special elections.
According to the release, ranked-choice voting is the method of casting and tabulating votes in which:
- Voters rank candidates in order of preference
- Tabulation proceeds in sequential rounds in which last-place candidates are defeated
- The candidate with the most votes in the final round is elected
The bill will be heard following the convening of the 2020 Legislative Session.
