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
    • RCREVIEW NEWSLETTER
    • RCVRC IN THE NEWS
    • PRESS RELEASES
    • RCV POLLS
  • TOOLS
    • RCTAB
    • RCV MAPS
    • REPORTS
    • RCV IN A BOX
    • PRCV HAND COUNT
    • PROTECT THE WIN
    • RCV FACT SHEETS
    • RCV GLOSSARY
  • ABOUT
    • ORGANIZATION
    • BOARD & STAFF
    • RM INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
    • CAREERS
  • GET CONNECTED
    • CONTACT US
    • INVITE US TO SPEAK
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • DONATE
  • EVENTS
    • CALENDAR
    • WEBINARS
    • SYMPOSIUMS
  • SEARCH
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 MEET THE TEAM CAREERS  

LEARN MORE

EARC RCTAB RCV MAPS RCV CLIPS PODCAST WEBINARS  

CONTACT US

1-833-VOTERCV (868-3728) PO BOX 5176 KINSTON, NC 28503 MESSAGE US  

TERMS

PRIVACY POLICY TERMS OF SERVICE SOLICITATION DISCLOSURES (STATES) FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES  
©RANKED CHOICE VOTING RESOURCE CENTER 2025
Crafted by Zibster
SUBSCRIBE
DONATE
SEARCH
SUBSCRIBE
DONATE
SEARCH
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
    • RCREVIEW NEWSLETTER
    • RCVRC IN THE NEWS
    • PRESS RELEASES
    • RCV POLLS
  • TOOLS
    • RCTAB
    • RCV MAPS
    • REPORTS
    • RCV IN A BOX
    • PRCV HAND COUNT
    • PROTECT THE WIN
    • RCV FACT SHEETS
    • RCV GLOSSARY
  • ABOUT
    • ORGANIZATION
    • BOARD & STAFF
    • RM INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
    • CAREERS
  • GET CONNECTED
    • CONTACT US
    • INVITE US TO SPEAK
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • DONATE
  • EVENTS
    • CALENDAR
    • WEBINARS
    • SYMPOSIUMS
  • SEARCH
SUBSCRIBE
DONATE
SEARCH