A candidate-centred preferential plurality/majority system used in single-member districts in which voters use numbers to mark their preferences on the ballot paper. A candidate who receives an absolute majority (50 per cent plus 1) of valid first-preference votes is declared elected. If no candidates achieves an absolute majority of first preferences, the least successful candidates are eliminated and their votes reallocated until one candidate has an absolute majority of valid votes remaining.
Understand more election terms clearly
Get one important election term explained each week, with authoritative sources, practical context and related definitions.
A candidate-centred preferential plurality/majority system used in single-member districts in which voters use numbers to mark their preferences on the ballot paper. A candidate who receives an absolute majority (50 per cent plus 1) of valid first-preference votes is declared elected. If no candidates achieves an absolute majority of first preferences, the least successful candidates are eliminated and their votes reallocated until one candidate has an absolute majority of valid votes remaining.
Cite this term
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Alternative Vote (av). In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 20, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/alternative-vote-av
Sources
01
Single-source
Get the weekly election term
Receive one cited, source-backed election explanation in your inbox each week.