In Utah this week, HB 35, the Municipal Alternate Voting Methods Pilot Project bill overwhelmingly passed, 64-2 (with 9 abstentions). The bipartisan bill would create a pilot project to permit municipalities to conduct nonpartisan races using ranked choice voting.

Sponsored by Rep. Mark K. Roberts (R-67), and co-sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Chavez-Houck (D-24) and Rep. Mike Winder (R-30), the bill now moves on to the state Senate.

Last year, Roberts and Rebecca Chavez-Houck backed, HB349, which would have enacted RCV for nearly all elections in Utah. It passed the House by 59-12, but the senate did not move on it.

Watch this space for more news on these exciting developments in The Beehive State.