Ranked Choice Voting Resource Center Logo
  • 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
    • SUBSCRIBE
  • DONATE
MENU

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?

LEARN MORE

HOW RCV WORKS

LEARN MORE

TYPES OF RCV

LEARN MORE

HISTORY OF RCV

LEARN MORE

WHERE IS RCV USED?

LEARN MORE

MYTHS ABOUT RCV

DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET

NAVIGATE

HOME DONATE CAREERS CONTACT US SUBSCRIBE  

LEARN MORE

RCTAB RCV MAPS RCV CLIPS PODCAST WEBINARS  

TERMS

PRIVACY POLICY TERMS OF SERVICE SOLICITATION DISCLOSURES (STATES) FINANCIALS EIN 83-1612600  
©RANKED CHOICE VOTING RESOURCE CENTER 2026
Crafted by Zibster
CONTACT US
SUBSCRIBE
DONATE
CONTACT US
SUBSCRIBE
DONATE
Ranked Choice Voting Resource Center Logo
CLOSE
  • 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
    • SUBSCRIBE
  • DONATE
CONTACT US
SUBSCRIBE
DONATE