Legislation ensures clarity and confidence in election procedures

State Rep. Joseph Pavlov (R-Smiths Creek) recently co-sponsored and voted in favor of House Bill 4707, a plan to prevent confusing and controversial ranked-choice voting in Michigan elections. The bill would ensure that Michigan’s electoral process remains straightforward and transparent.

“Everyone’s vote matters, and the way we vote matters,” Rep. Pavlov said. “The people of Michigan deserve a system that is clear, efficient, and easy to understand. Ranked-choice voting complicates the process with multiple rounds of counting, potential delays, and confusion. It makes it harder for people to trust the outcome. We are saying no to that confusion and protecting the integrity of our elections.”

Ranked-choice voting undermines the foundational principle of “one person, one vote” and can erode public confidence. In New York City’s 2021 mayoral primary, for example, it took two weeks to determine a winner, highlighting how complex procedures can hinder transparency and delay election results.

House Bill 4707 passed the Michigan House on August 20 by a vote of 57–44. It now moves to the Senate, where it awaits further consideration in the Elections and Ethics Committee.