Ranked Choice Voting: How It Works

In a political world dominated by strategic voting and polarized choices, Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) offers a fresh way to bring nuance and fairness back to the ballot. It’s already used in cities and states across the U.S., and gaining attention globally. But what exactly is it—and how does it work?

This guide breaks it down step-by-step so you can understand the process, its benefits, and what it means for the future of elections.

Step 1: Understand the Ballot Structure

Instead of selecting just one candidate, voters in a Ranked Choice Voting system rank multiple candidates in order of preference—1st choice, 2nd choice, 3rd, and so on.

This means:

• You can support your favorite candidate without ‘wasting’ your vote.
• You get to express your backup choices in case your top pick doesn’t win.
• The final winner usually reflects a broader base of voter support.

Step 2: Counting First-Choice Votes

When votes are first counted, only the first-choice votes on each ballot are tallied. If a candidate receives a majority (over 50%) of the first-choice votes, they win outright.

Here’s what happens if no one wins a majority:

• The candidate with the fewest first-choice votes is eliminated.
• Voters who chose that candidate have their next choice counted instead.
• This process continues in rounds until one candidate has a majority.

Step 3: Redistribution and Elimination

The system keeps redistributing votes from eliminated candidates to the next-ranked candidate on each affected ballot. This means your vote still counts even if your favorite doesn’t make it past the first round.

The result is:

• A candidate needs broader appeal to win.
• Negative campaigning is reduced because candidates want to be ranked second or third too.
• Minority voices are better represented, improving voter trust.

Step 4: Declaring a Winner

Once a candidate accumulates more than 50% through redistributed votes, they are declared the winner. This winner usually has majority support, even if they weren’t the first choice for everyone.

It ensures:

• A more accurate reflection of voter preferences.
• Less polarization in election outcomes.
• More representative leadership overall.

Why This Matters

RCV addresses some of the biggest criticisms of traditional elections: the spoiler effect, wasted votes, and strategic voting. By allowing voters to express multiple preferences, it brings integrity and inclusivity to the process.

It also encourages candidates to reach beyond their base, making for more respectful and coalition-driven campaigns. Ranked Choice Voting reduces voter disenfranchisement by enabling more nuanced expression of preferences, and fosters consensus-based politics that are less likely to produce extreme or fringe outcomes. Voters tend to feel more satisfied with results that reflect broader support, and the format discourages attack ads, since alienating supporters of other candidates can ultimately harm a campaign’s chances of success.

How It’s Used Today

Ranked Choice Voting isn’t just a theory—it’s being implemented across the globe in local, state, and national elections. Understanding where and how it’s used helps demystify the system and build public trust.

In the United States, Maine and Alaska have adopted RCV for their statewide elections, while New York City employs it for primary and special municipal contests. Internationally, countries like Australia and Ireland have long embraced similar voting systems at the national level. Additionally, dozens of U.S. cities—including San Francisco and Minneapolis—use RCV in local races, showcasing its growing relevance and adaptability across different political landscapes.

Challenges and Considerations

While RCV offers many benefits, no voting system is perfect. Understanding potential drawbacks and concerns is crucial for meaningful adoption and reform.

• Voter education is essential to ensure ballots are filled out correctly.
• Ballot exhaustion can occur if all ranked candidates are eliminated early.
• Counting complexity may require longer delays to verify results.
• Resistance from established parties may slow adoption or create confusion.

Tips for First-Time Voters

If you’re new to RCV, here are some tips to help make the most of your ballot:

• Only rank the candidates you support—you’re not required to rank everyone.
• Don’t give the same rank to multiple candidates—each rank should be unique.
• Don’t skip ranks—it can confuse vote redistribution.
• Read instructions carefully to understand how many candidates you can rank.

Takeaway

Ranked Choice Voting is more than a trendy electoral reform—it’s a tool for healthier democracies. By empowering voters to express full preferences, it creates outcomes that reflect the majority while elevating diverse voices.

Understanding how it works helps voters make informed choices, and supports ongoing efforts to strengthen democratic participation.