简体中文
EnglishIs RCV123 secure and free to use?
Updated
RCV123.org describes itself as a free, non-profit platform for running ranked choice voting (RCV) elections and polls, and its homepage states that it uses "secure voting methods." The site also states it is "Always free" and that it is a non-profit focused on ranked choice voting education. If you want to confirm the specifics of data handling and security before trusting it with a real election, the site provides Privacy and Terms & Conditions pages you can review directly.
What RCV123 says about itself
According to the site's own description, RCV123.org is:
- A non-profit for ranked choice voting education
- Free to use — the homepage states "Always free" and "Free Ranked Choice Voting for Everyone"
- Built for organizations — it says it makes it easy for organizations to conduct secure RCV elections
- Usable for any election, poll, or group decision
These are the platform's own claims, not independent verification. Treat them as the starting point for your own evaluation.
What "secure voting methods" means here
The homepage uses the phrase "secure voting methods" but does not spell out the technical details on the page excerpt available. If security is your deciding factor, check the site's Help, Instructions, and Frequently Asked Questions sections, plus the Privacy and Terms & Conditions pages, for specifics such as:
- How ballots are stored and whether they are encrypted
- Whether voter identity is verified and how
- Who can see individual ballots versus aggregate results
- How long data is retained
If those pages don't answer your questions, that gap itself is useful information for a high-stakes election.
Is it actually free?
The site states it is "Always free" and describes itself as a non-profit. The available page evidence does not list any pricing tiers, payment links, or paid plans. That said, "free" claims should be confirmed against the current Terms & Conditions, since terms can change and the excerpt only reflects what the homepage states.
How to decide whether to use it
| Question | What to do |
|---|---|
| Is cost a concern? | The site states it is always free; verify in Terms & Conditions |
| Is it a low-stakes poll? | The stated free, non-profit setup is likely sufficient |
| Is it a binding or high-stakes election? | Read the Privacy and Terms pages and confirm security specifics before committing |
| Do you need RCV education? | The site positions itself as an education-focused non-profit |
Practical next steps
- Go to rcv123.org and open the Privacy and Terms & Conditions pages.
- Read the Help, Instructions, and Frequently Asked Questions sections for security and data-handling details.
- If you need to track ballots and access all features, the site notes you can sign in or create a free account.
- Run a small test poll first to see how ballot setup, voting, and counting behave before using it for anything important.
The bottom line: RCV123 presents itself as a free, non-profit RCV tool with secure voting methods, and it gives you the Privacy and Terms pages to check those claims yourself. Whether that's enough depends on how sensitive your election is — for casual polls it's likely fine, but for binding votes, verify the security details directly rather than relying on the homepage wording.