"A practice that allows voters to rank candidates in a contest in order of choice: 1, 2, 3 and so on. It takes a majority to win. If anyone receives a majority of the first choice votes, that candidate wins that election. If not, the last place candidate is deleted, and all ballots are counted again, but this time each ballot cast for the deleted candidate counts for the next choice candidate listed on the ballot. The process of eliminating the last place candidate and recounting the ballots continues until one candidate receives a majority of the vote." FVSS Appendix. Also CHOICE VOTING, INSTANT RUNOFF VOTING, PREFERENCE VOTING, RANKED CHOICE VOTING.
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"A practice that allows voters to rank candidates in a contest in order of choice: 1, 2, 3 and so on. It takes a majority to win. If anyone receives a majority of the first choice votes, that candidate wins that election. If not, the last place candidate is deleted, and all ballots are counted again, but this time each ballot cast for the deleted candidate counts for the next choice candidate listed on the ballot. The process of eliminating the last place candidate and recounting the ballots continues until one candidate receives a majority of the vote." FVSS Appendix. Also CHOICE VOTING, INSTANT RUNOFF VOTING, PREFERENCE VOTING, RANKED CHOICE VOTING.
Cite this term
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Ranked Order Voting. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 21, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/ranked-order-voting
Sources
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High consensus
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Disputed
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High consensus
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