Ranked-choice voting begins in June. Here’s a quick primer:
What is ranked choice voting?
Instead of casting a ballot for just one candidate, voters now “rank” their choices. If five candidates are running, for example, you mark your preferences from first to fifth.
How is a winner determined?
If a candidate receives over 50% of first choice votes, they are declared the winner. If no one receives 50% or more of first choice votes, that’s when the ranked choice counting process begins — the candidate who finished last is eliminated and the votes are recounted. This counting process continues, with the last-place candidate being eliminated and their votes going to each voter’s next-choice candidate, until one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote. They’re declared the winner.
To learn more, click here.
Sponsored by New York City Campaign Finance Board
