HB1706

House Bill 1706 prohibits the use of ranked choice voting for the election or nomination of candidates to any local, state, or federal office in Arkansas. The bill defines ranked choice voting as a method where voters rank candidates by preference and ballots are tabulated in multiple rounds until a candidate achieves a majority. It explicitly voids any existing or future local government ordinances that conflict with this prohibition. The legislation includes an exception for voters covered under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, allowing them to continue using ranked choice ballots if applicable. The primary purpose of the bill is to standardize voting procedures across the state by mandating traditional voting methods.