Ranked-choice voting (RCV)

Definition

Ranked-choice voting (RCV) is an electoral system where voters rank candidates by preference on their ballots. If no candidate wins a majority, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and their votes are redistributed until one candidate has a majority.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. RCV eliminates the need for separate runoff elections, saving time and resources.
2. RCV can help ensure that winners have broader support among the electorate.
3. In RCV, if your top choice is eliminated, your vote is not wasted but rather redistributed to your next preferred candidate.
4. The method encourages more positive campaigning as candidates aim to be acceptable to more voters as a second or third choice.
5. RCV has been adopted in various U.S. cities and states, as well as countries like Australia and Ireland.

Review Questions

• What happens to a voter's ballot if their top choice is eliminated in ranked-choice voting?
• How does ranked-choice voting potentially reduce negative campaigning?
• In what way does RCV save resources compared to traditional runoff elections?

Related terms

Plurality Voting: A voting system where the candidate with the most votes wins, regardless of whether they have a majority.

Runoff Election: A follow-up election held when no candidate meets the required threshold for victory in the initial election.

Majority Rule: A principle that requires more than half of votes cast for a decision or candidate to win.