LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — As activists collect signatures to put ranked choice voting on Michigan’s 2026 ballot, Republican lawmakers are moving in the opposite direction—pushing to ban the system before it takes root.

House Bill 4707, introduced by Rep. Rachelle Smit (R-Martin), would block cities from adopting ranked choice and nullify local approvals already on the books in places like Ann Arbor, Royal Oak, and Kalamazoo.

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“In my district … I have not heard of one clerk, local or county, that is supportive of it,” Smit said, who chairs the House Election Integrity Committee. She argued Michigan clerks have already been burdened by election law changes in recent years and said her bill protects the principle of “one person, one vote, ” Michigan Advance and Bridge Michigan reported.

The committee advanced the bill August 19 on a 6–3 party-line vote, sending it to the full House. If enacted, Michigan would become the 18th state to ban the system. 

Meanwhile, Rank MI Vote is pressing ahead with its ballot drive. Executive Director Pat Zabawa said the campaign’s energy is fixed on one goal: getting enough signatures to let “Michigan voters decide.” The campaign needs nearly 450,000 valid names to qualify; it aims to submit at least 611,000.