The Chamber of Deputies began examining electoral reform on July 14, 2026, with the outcome still uncertain. Approximately 200 amendments have been tabled. The main issue concerns preference voting. An amendment signed by Fratelli d’Italia, Noi Moderati and Udc introduces a partial preference-voting system: voters may indicate three candidates by writing their names on the ballot. The system also includes a party-selected lead candidate and requires preferences to be cast for candidates of different genders; otherwise, the second and third preferences are invalidated, in that order. Initially hesitant, Forza Italia and, subsequently, Lega announced their support for the amendment. Lega leader Matteo Salvini said he had no objections to preference voting. Senate President Ignazio La Russa described it as a compromise amendment and said that a law capable of preventing a tied outcome should appeal to everyone. According to simulations published by YouTrend, the effect of preference voting would vary significantly depending on party size. For parties polling at around 20%, such as Fratelli d’Italia and the Democratic Party, approximately one-third of elected representatives would be chosen through preference votes. For parties polling at around 10%, such as Lega and Forza Italia, the proportion would fall to very low levels, with most representatives selected by party leaderships. Il Fatto Quotidiano therefore described the amendment as a “bluff”, arguing that preference voting would be largely ineffective for smaller parties. The Democratic Party announced that it would request a secret ballot in the Chamber. PD leader Elly Schlein called the reform unacceptable and said that the opposition would oppose it. A secret ballot is considered a means of exposing internal divisions within the governing majority because MPs’ votes would not be subject to public party discipline. La Repubblica attributed to the opposition a strategy of seeking possible defections from the majority’s ranks. Additional amendments have also been tabled. According to Open, Lega submitted an amendment extending the limit on consecutive terms for regional presidents from two to three by changing the 2004 framework law. Futuro Nazionale proposed removing mandatory gender alternation from candidate lists and replacing it with a 65% ceiling for either gender and a requirement that lists containing at least three people include at least one candidate of each gender. Open questions also remain concerning the designation of a candidate for prime minister and the reduction of the geographical areas within the overseas constituency. The final outcome remains uncertain.