Show All Answers

1. What is ranked choice voting?

Ranked choice voting or “instant run-off voting,” allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference, when marking their ballots. Ranked choice voting eliminates the need for run-off elections.

2. Does my vote still count if I give same candidate multiple rankings?

Yes. However, your vote will count only once for that candidate.

3. Does my vote still count if I only select one choice?

Yes. Your vote will count for your one choice.

4. How are ranked choice votes counted?

With ranked choice voting, if a candidate receives a majority (50%+1) of the first-choice votes cast for that office, that candidate will be elected. However, if no candidate receives a majority of the first-choice votes cast, an elimination process begins. The candidate who received the fewest first-choice votes is eliminated. Next, each vote cast for that candidate will be transferred to the voter's next-ranked choice among the remaining candidates. This elimination process will continue until one candidate receives a majority and is deemed the winner.

5. If I really want my first-choice candidate to win should I rank that candidate as my first, second, and third choice?

No. Ranking a candidate more than once does not benefit the candidate. If a voter ranks one candidate as the voter's first, second, and third choice, it is the same as if the voter leaves the second or third choice blank.

6. Can I give multiple candidates the same ranking?

No. If a voter gives more than one candidate the same ranking, the vote cannot be counted. Only one individual candidate can represent the voter's first, second, or third choice.

7. Is anyone else using ranked choice voting?

Yes, in fact many communities across the country are either using or piloting ranked choice voting systems. This includes 23 cities in Utah for the 2021 general election. Ranked choice voting is also being used in Maine for federal and statewide elections (and municipal elections in the city of Portland); in Minnesota for elections in Minneapolis and St. Paul; in California for elections in Oakland, San Francisco, San Leandro, and Berkely; in New Mexico for elections in Santa Fe and Las Cruces; in Colorado for elections in Telluride; and various other states have adopted it and are in the implementation process.