Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) is a system that lets voters express a preference order among candidates, rather than choosing a single candidate only. If no candidate wins a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest first-choice votes is eliminated and those ballots are redistributed to the next preferred candidate on each ballot. This process repeats until a candidate achieves a majority and is declared the winner. Key elements and how it works
- Voter ballots: Each voter can rank candidates in order of preference (for example, 1st choice, 2nd choice, 3rd choice, and so on). The exact ballot layout can vary by jurisdiction or voting system, but the core idea is to capture multiple levels of preference. In many implementations, voters can rank as many or as few candidates as they wish. If a voter’s top choice is eliminated later, their vote moves to the next preferred candidate still in the race.
- Initial tally: All votes are counted for each candidate based on first-choice preferences. If a candidate has more than 50% of these first-choice votes, they win immediately.
- Elimination and transfer: If no candidate has a majority, the candidate with the fewest first-choice votes is eliminated. All ballots for that eliminated candidate are redistributed to the next candidate listed on those ballots.
- Re-tallying: After redistribution, a new tally is performed. If someone now has a majority, they win. If not, the process repeats: eliminate the current lowest-ranked candidate, redistribute their ballots to the next preferred candidate, and recount.
- Completion: The process continues until one candidate holds a majority of the active ballots, or until only one candidate remains, who is then declared the winner.
Common variants and notes
- Single-winner vs. multi-winner: RCV is commonly used for single-winner elections (e.g., mayoral races) under the broader umbrella of ranked voting. Some systems also adapt ranking methods to multi-winner contexts, but the counting rules differ from single-w winner RCV.
- Majority requirement: In many places, a majority (more than 50%) of active ballots is required to win. If no one achieves a majority, elimination and transfer continues until a candidate attains a majority or until the remaining candidate is the winner by default.
- Ballot design and eligibility: Voters may be allowed to rank as many or as few candidates as they wish. Some jurisdictions require ranking all candidates, while others permit partial rankings. Incorrect or incomplete ballots are typically handled according to local rules (e.g., exhausted ballots if all preferred candidates are eliminated).
Why RCV is used and its intended benefits
- Reflects broader preferences: RCV aims to capture more of a voter's preferences, potentially supporting a candidate who has broad, if not top, appeal rather than just being a voter's single favorite.
- Reduces “spoiler” effects: Because votes can transfer to a secondary choice, third-party or minor candidates are less likely to split the vote in a way that guarantees a less-preferred winner.
- Encourages positive campaigning: Candidates may try to be acceptable to a wider range of voters to attract second or third-choice votes.
Practical considerations
- Counting process: The counting is more complex than plurality voting because ballots may transfer repeatedly as eliminations occur. This often requires specialized tabulation software or careful manual counting in jurisdictions with smaller jurisdictions or limited resources.
- Voter education: Effective use of RCV relies on voters understanding how ranking affects outcomes and how ballots are counted if their top choice is eliminated.
- Transparency and audits: Many systems provide detailed explanations of the transfer steps and maintain audit trails to verify results.
If you’d like, I can tailor this explanation to a specific place or election (for example Maine, Alaska, Maine’s 2018 implementation, or New York City’s local use) and describe how their particular rules handle ballots, transfers, and any special cases.
