The Ohio Senate approved on Mar. 9 Senate Bill 63, which would ban the use of ranked choice voting in most elections across the state. The legislation, sponsored by State Senator Theresa Gavarone and State Senator Bill DeMora, now moves to Governor Mike DeWine for his signature.
The bill is significant because it aims to prevent changes to Ohio’s election system that could affect how votes are counted and winners are determined. Ranked choice voting allows voters to rank candidates by preference and eliminates candidates in rounds until one receives a majority.
“Ranked choice voting distorts election outcomes and erodes the public trust in election results,” said Gavarone. “This disastrous electoral system has no place in Ohio. I’m proud to see Ohio take this important step in maintaining our spot as the leader in election security and integrity.”
Senate Bill 63 would prohibit ranked choice voting for all elections except those conducted by municipalities or chartered counties, as permitted by a 1923 decision from the Ohio Supreme Court. The bill also states that any municipality or chartered county implementing ranked choice voting would become ineligible for Local Government Fund distributions.
Gavarone has served as Ohio State Senator for the 2nd Senate District and previously held a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives, according to her official biography. She also served on Bowling Green City Council before joining the state legislature, and held the position of Senate Majority Floor Leader during the 136th General Assembly according to her official biography.
In addition to her legislative work, Gavarone co-owned Mr. Spots restaurant with her husband Jim and resided with him and their three children in Bowling Green according to her official biography. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University and a law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law according to her official biography.
If signed into law, Senate Bill 63 will set new limits on how local governments can structure their elections unless they choose not to receive certain state funds.
