Facts About Ranked Choice Voting

Where is RCV being used?
Ranked Choice Voting is currently being used in over 40 cities, 3 counties, and 2 states for
public elections. RCV is also popular for international elections. Ireland, Australia and many
other countries have been using this method for decades. In addition to New York City, several
other large metropolitan areas such as Minneapolis, MN, Boulder, CO, and San Francisco, CA
all use RCV. The states of Maine and Alaska are the most well known examples of Ranked
Choice Voting being used. It is important to realize that this voting method has been adopted in
suburban and rural towns as well. For a complete list, visit this page from Fairvote.

How does RCV work?
Ranked Choice Voting is a system that allows voters to rank the candidates in order of
preference: their favorite candidate first, their second-favorite second and so on.There are two
primary forms of RCV: single-winner and multi-winner. To win a single-winner RCV race, a
candidate must achieve more than 50% of the votes. If no candidate reaches that majority
threshold, the candidate in last place is eliminated, and their supporters have their votes
reapportioned to their next choice. This process continues until a candidate wins more than half
the votes. In multi-winner RCV races, the process is almost identical, but the threshold is
adjusted lower relative to the available number of seats.

How are votes counted in multi winner races?
In a multi winner district, the process is nearly identical to a race with a single winner. However,
the threshold percentage for victory is adjusted relative to the desired number of winners. Once
the remaining candidates cross the threshold, the election is over.

What are “batch” eliminations?
In certain jurisdictions, multiple candidates can be removed from the race in a single round due
to the mathematical impossibility of them winning. The results between batch eliminations and
runoff eliminations are the same. For example, there are four candidates in a race and two of
them have a few percentage points of the vote each while the other two candidates have half of
the vote. The two candidates with a small number of supporters can never win the election
because there are not enough votes that could be transferred to them to overtake the other
candidates. This simplifies the tabulation process and makes counting ballots more efficient. Benefits of Ranked Choice Voting

Does RCV take longer when voting in person?
Only slightly. Instead of selecting just one candidate, you have the option to rank multiple candidates—but ranking more than one is not required.

Does RCV take longer to count?
Not significantly. Votes are tabulated using the same computers and software that counties already use for elections today.

Benefits of Ranked Choice Voting

What are the benefits of Ranked Choice Voting?

Reduces “strategic” voting
In our current system, voters often feel compelled to vote for the most electable candidate
instead of one they sincerely support. RCV reduces problems like vote-splitting, the “spoiler”
effect and other unrepresentative outcomes that arise when more than two candidates run for a
single office. Voters feel confident knowing that if their first choice doesn’t win, their vote
automatically supports their next choice instead. This liberates voters from strategic voting
causing mental strain or stress. The common phrase “hold your nose and pull the level” is
completely avoided. Candidates can compete without fear of “splitting the vote” with similar
candidates.

Representative outcomes
RCV is the best system to represent voter preferences. Winners must cultivate broad and deep
support to win the election. This results in a stronger mandate to govern and better candidates
to choose from.

Discourages negative campaigning
Ranked Choice Voting forces candidates to compete for second and third choice votes from
their opponents’ supporters. This drastically reduces the incentive to run negative campaign ads
or harshly criticize one’s character. Mudslinging does not equate to broad support. Candidates
do best with a positive message shared to as many voters as possible, including those who
support their opponents.

Saves money
RCV is a faster and cheaper alternative to expensive primary and runoff elections.

Increases participation
A single election will have a higher turnout than a runoff. Military and overseas voters can rank
candidates on a single ballot.

Lowers the barrier to entry for women and candidates of color
Ranked Choice Voting encourages women and candidates of color to run for office. Ethnic
minority candidates are not perceived as spoilers. Nor are they pressured to wait for a more
opportune time to run. Voters of color are likely to feel represented when they see multiple
candidates who speak to their concerns.

Why use RCV instead of holding runoff elections?
RCV is known to avoid the high costs and low turnouts associated with runoff elections. This
method allows voters to participate in a single election that is more representative of the
community while also saving taxpayer’s money.

Ranked Choice Voting In Contemporary Elections

What is the spoiler effect?
The spoiler effect is a phrase that refers to a major disadvantage of single-choice plurality
elections. Non-viable candidates can divide support for one viable candidate causing the other
viable candidate to ultimately win. This has been known to undermine support for 3rd party,
independent, and lesser known major party candidates. 

Should I vote for the most electable candidate or my favorite?
You are always free to vote your conscience and feel confident your vote will count. Ranking
additional candidates does not impact your first choice. This system allows voters to ignore
strategic voting.

How does RCV affect vote splitting?
Similar candidates divide their support among themselves potentially preventing any of them
from winning. Ranked Choice Voting avoids this problem by its reallocation method.

What is an exhausted ballot?
An exhausted ballot is one which does not count towards an eligible, active candidate in the
current tabulation round. Ballots are exhausted if all ranked choices are eliminated. This can
happen due to a number of circumstances such as a voter’s choice not to rank all the
candidates, a limit on the number of rankings imposed by the district, or a disqualifying error on
the ballot.

How difficult is it for election officials to administer a RCV election?
It is relatively easy for clerks to administer a Ranked Choice Voting election. State and city
officials have been interviewed in places where RCV has been adopted. They explain the
logistics and training that allow for smooth and successful elections.

How would a recount work?
Recounts would work exactly the same as under our current laws.

What happens to my favorite candidate if I rank a second choice?
There is no effect on your favorite candidate if you rank additional candidates. Your second,
third, and so on choice will only be counted if your first is eliminated from the election.

Can I rank choices if I write in candidates?
Yes. All candidates on a ballot, including ones a voter may write in, would be eligible to be
ranked.

Are there any restrictions on how I vote? Can I give candidates the same ranking? How
many candidates can I rank? Can I vote for only one candidate? Do I have to vote for
multiple candidates?
Any type of voting restrictions would depend on the election. The total number of candidates
eligible to be ranked will depend on the jurisdiction. Otherwise, all permitted voters would be
allowed to cast their ballot. No, multiple candidates cannot receive the same ranking. Yes, you
would be able to vote for a single candidate. No, you do not have to rank multiple candidates.

How are votes counted in single winner races?
If a race has a single winner, candidates must reach a 50% threshold of the votes to be
declared the winner. If no candidate receives more than half of voters’ support, the least popular
candidate is eliminated and those ballots are reallocated to their 2nd choice. This process
repeats until a candidate reaches more than half of the votes.

Are the error rates of RCV elections greater than those of standard elections?
Not really! They’re about the same — and the cool thing is, in RCV some mistakes won’t even spoil your ballot. For more information on the types of errors see this blog post.

Attitudes Toward Ranked Choice Voting

Is RCV non-partisan?
Ranked Choice Voting is a reform that gives voters more voice and more choice. RCV promotes
majority support and creates incentives for candidates to reach out to broad swaths of the
electorate, rather than just one core political base. No singular political party would gain an
unfair advantage.

However, the perception of RCV can vary depending on the political context and the specific implementation. Some political groups may support or oppose RCV based on how they believe it will affect their chances in elections. In practice, RCV has been adopted in various jurisdictions across the United States, and its support can come from both major parties as well as third parties and independent candidates.

Overall, while RCV itself is a voting method that can be seen as non-partisan, the political dynamics surrounding its adoption and use can be influenced by partisan interests.

Do voters understand and like RCV?
Research shows that voters strongly report a sophisticated understanding of RCV. Analysis of
ballots and exit polling demonstrate that voters make few errors and express sincere
satisfaction. Our friends at FairVote document this by compiling various studies and surveys
from other election reform organizations. The vast majority found the RCV ballot simple to read.
Numerous political organizations, charity groups, universities and businesses incorporate RCV
in their leadership elections. In Alaska, Maine, NYC and other RCV jurisdictions, over 60% of
participants showed support for the continued use of RCV or expanding its use in various polls
from 2019-2022.

What kind of candidates win RCV elections? Does RCV affect the way candidates
conduct their campaigns? Will RCV cause candidates to not really stand for anything to
appeal to a broad base?
Candidates are strongly encouraged to appeal to the greatest number of voters. Those with a
broad base of fervent support tend to do the best. They should strive for a combination of a
strong core who will vote for them first while also appealing to many who will vote for them
second. RCV affects the way candidates conduct their campaigns by discouraging negative
campaigning. Negative comments can isolate them from opponents’ supporters. They must
appeal both deeply and broadly to their constituents. RCV does not elect “everyone’s second
choice” because first choice support is needed to avoid elimination.

RCV Constitutionality

Is RCV constitutional? Does RCV respect the principle of “one person, one vote” ? 

The U.S. Constitution does not specify a method for electing federal, state and local officials.
RCV is not discriminatory and meets fundamental, constitutional tests. Ranked Choice Voting is
a “one person, one vote” system. A ballot never counts as a vote for multiple candidates at the
same time. Each time a court has examined RCV in terms of “one person, one vote” it has
found each voter’s vote carries the same weight. Every time a federal court has heard a
challenge to RCV, it has upheld RCV.

RCV Capable Voting Equipment Used in New Jersey

Is the voting equipment currently used in New Jersey capable for tabulating the results of Ranked Choice Voting Elections?

Yes.  As of 2024 all New Jersey counties employee equipment that is capable of supporting Ranked Choice Voting elections.  For addition information see this blog post.

Alternative Voting Systems

What is a proportional representation voting system?
Proportional representation is the predominant voting system throughout Western Europe.
Legislators are elected in multimember districts and the number of seats is proportional to the
number of votes the party receives or through a single transferable system. In STV, all votes are
for individuals, not parties. PR voting systems provide a more accurate representation of the
voting district in the legislature. These systems usually result in coalition governments.

How does RCV compare to top two, cumulative voting, approval voting, score, Condorcet
or proportional representation?

No voting system is a cure-all for political issues, but Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) is consistently superior to other alternatives. RCV is practical and effective, unlike theoretical methods such as approval, score, and Condorcet voting, which are not used in government elections.

A key principle is that a candidate should win if they are the first choice of a majority, known as the majority criterion. While RCV, Condorcet, and plurality satisfy this criterion, approval and score do not. In those systems, a candidate could be the top choice for most voters yet still lose.

Another important property is "later-no-harm," meaning that ranking additional candidates cannot harm the chances of a voter's top choice. RCV meets this criterion, while approval and score voting can lead to strategic voting tactics like bullet voting, which can distort election outcomes.

Critics often cite the Condorcet criterion, which states that the candidate who would win against all others in head-to-head matchups should be elected. However, this criterion complicates recounts and can take weeks to resolve. Despite failing the Condorcet criterion on paper, RCV has elected the Condorcet winner in 99.6% of U.S. elections before 2021.

RCV is effective for both single-winner and multi-winner elections, and maintaining a uniform ballot design simplifies the voting process. These factors explain why RCV is favored by major electoral reform organizations, as it is a significant improvement over the current plurality voting system.

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