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WHAT IS RANKED CHOICE VOTING?

Ranked choice voting (RCV) is an election method in​ which voters rank candidates for an office in order of their preference (first choice, second choice, third choice, and so on). Ranking candidates is different from simply selecting one candidate or what is known as plurality voting. If a candidate receives more than half of the first choices, that candidate wins, just like in any other election. However, if there is no majority winner after counting the first choices, the race is decided by an instant runoff. The candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and voters who ranked that candidate as their first choice will have their votes count for their next choice. This process continues until a majority winner, a candidate with more than half of the vote, wins.

RCV 101 REPORT

Use the resources below to find out more about why jurisdictions adopt RCV, how it works, the different types of RCV, its history, and where it's currently in use. RCV can also be used to create proportional representation when used to elect multiple candidates at once.

WHY ADOPT RCV?

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HOW RCV WORKS

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TYPES OF RCV

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HISTORY OF RCV

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WHERE IS RCV USED?

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MYTHS ABOUT RCV

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  • HOME
  • RCV 101
    • WHAT IS RCV?
    • WHY ADOPT RCV?
    • HOW RCV WORKS
    • TYPES OF RCV
    • HISTORY OF RCV
    • WHERE IS RCV USED?
    • FAQ
  • STAKEHOLDERS
    • ELECTION ADMINISTRATORS
    • POLICYMAKERS
    • CANDIDATES
    • VOTERS
  • MEDIA
    • RCV CLIPS PODCAST
    • RCV VIDEOS
    • WEBINARS
    • SYMPOSIUMS
  • TOOLS
    • RCTAB
    • RCV MAPS
    • REPORTS
    • RCV IN A BOX
    • HAND COUNT TOOLKITS
    • PROTECT THE WIN
    • RCV FACT SHEETS
    • RCV GLOSSARY
  • ABOUT
    • ORGANIZATION
    • BOARD & STAFF
    • RCVRC IN THE NEWS
    • RCREVIEW NEWSLETTER
    • PRESS RELEASES
    • RM INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
    • CAREERS
  • GET CONNECTED
    • CONTACT US
    • INVITE US TO SPEAK
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • DONATE
CONTACT US
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SEARCH
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