COLUMBUS, OH (WOWO) Ohio lawmakers have passed legislation that would ban ranked choice voting and restrict municipalities from adopting the system, according to coverage by WCMH. Senate Bill 63 passed the House 63-27 after earlier Senate approval and now awaits consideration by Governor Mike DeWine.

The law could withhold state funding from cities that attempt to implement ranked choice elections. The system allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference, redistributing votes from the lowest-ranked candidates until one achieves a majority. While ranked choice voting is used statewide in Maine and Alaska, no Ohio cities currently employ it.

Supporters say ranked choice voting is confusing, expensive, and prone to errors. Critics, including Common Cause Ohio and former state officials, argue the law restricts local governments’ ability to determine their election methods. WCMH reports that opponents emphasized the measure would override home rule authority in municipalities considering alternative voting systems.

Governor DeWine has the option to sign the bill into law, veto it, or allow it to take effect without his signature.