North Carolina 2023-2024 Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 9 D · 1 I cosponsors

HB 851 — Improving Our Democracy.

Last action — Passed 1st Reading

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2023-2024 Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

53 added · 52 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest version of Bill HB 851 introduces ranked-choice voting for elections with three or more candidates, changing how votes are counted to better reflect voter preferences and prevent splitting votes among similar candidates. Additionally, it removes a requirement for the State Board of Elections to review prior ranked-choice elections specifically conducted in North Carolina, focusing instead on practices in other states. This change matters because it streamlines the research process and could potentially encourage broader adoption of ranked-choice voting, enhancing electoral fairness and representation in North Carolina.

→
Previous
Latest
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA H.B.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2023 H 1 HOUSE BILL 851 Short Title:
851 Apr 25, 2023 SESSION 2023 HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK H D HOUSE BILL DRH10405-LUa-44B Short Title:
Representative Morey.
Representatives Morey, Harrison, Autry, and Dahle (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A PROCESS FOR TOP FOUR OPEN PRIMARY AND ELECTIONS AND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THAT PURPOSE.
Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House April 26, 2023 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A PROCESS FOR TOP FOUR OPEN PRIMARY AND ELECTIONS AND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THAT PURPOSE.
Other minor parties and unaffiliated candidates may qualify for the general election by meeting ballot access requirements set by State law.
Other minor parties and unaffiliated candidates may qualify for the general election by meeting ballot access requirements set byState law.
As such, the general election may consist of the four highest-polling candidates in the primary and any minor party and unaffiliated candidates who meet State ballot access requirements.
As such, the general election mayconsist of the four highest-polling candidates in the primary and any minor party and unaffiliated candidates who meet State ballot access requirements.
The open primary may qualifyuptofourcandidatesforthegeneralelection.However,shouldfewerthanfourcandidates *DRH10405-LUa-44B* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2023 advance, ranked-choice voting shall be used any time there are at least three candidates in the general election.
The open primary may *H851-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2023 qualifyuptofourcandidatesforthe generalelection.However,shouldfewerthanfourcandidates advance, ranked-choice voting shall be used any time there are at least three candidates in the general election.
Page 2 DRH10405-LUa-44B
Page 2 House Bill 851-First Edition
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (2)

Action History

  1. Passed 1st Reading

  2. Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  3. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

3 sponsors · 9 co-sponsors · 167 not signed on

Sponsors (3)

Co-sponsors (9)

Not signed on (167)

167 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 167 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

elections technology
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 851?
HB 851 is sponsored by Marcia Morey (Democratic), Pricey Harrison (Democratic), Autry, Allison A. Dahle (Democratic), Eric Ager (Democratic), Cynthia Ball (Democratic), Kanika Brown (Democratic), Carolyn G. Logan (Democratic), Nasif Majeed (U), Lindsey Prather (Democratic), Amos L. Quick, III (Democratic), and Staton-Williams.
What is the current status of HB 851?
This bill died with 2023-2024 Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 851?
Track HB 851 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on HB 851

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of HB 851

Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →