What features and resources does RCV123 offer?

Updated

RCV123.org is a non-profit site for ranked choice voting (RCV) education that lets organizations run RCV elections and polls. Its core offering is a free RCV calculator and ballot setup tool, supported by instructions, FAQs, sample ballots, and background material on RCV. You can start a ballot without an account, but signing in or creating a free account is what lets you track ballots and access all features.

Core tools for running an election or poll

The site groups its main functions under a "Tools" area:

  • Set up ballot — create an RCV election or poll for any election, poll, or group decision.
  • RCV calculator — the counting engine that tallies ranked ballots.
  • Spreadsheet upload — bring in ballot data from a spreadsheet rather than entering it manually.
  • Google Classroom & Forms import — pull in participation from Google Classroom and Google Forms.
  • Vote counting — run and review the tabulation of ranked choices.

The homepage frames the purpose directly: "Use RCV for any election, poll or group decision," and describes the organization as making it "easy for organizations to conduct secure RCV elections."

Supporting resources and reference material

Beyond the tools, RCV123 provides material to help you understand and run RCV correctly:

  • Instructions — how-to guidance for setting up and running a ballot.
  • Frequently asked questions — answers to common questions about the process.
  • Sample ballots — example ballots you can look at before building your own.
  • Pros and cons of RCV — background on the tradeoffs of ranked choice voting.
  • Labs — an area for experimental or in-development work.
  • New features — a running list of what has been added.
  • About us — who runs the site and its non-profit mission.

Accounts, tracking, and access

You can set up a ballot without signing in, but the site separates basic use from full use:

Access level What you get
No account Set up a ballot and use the basic tools
Free account (sign in or create one) Track your ballots and access all features

The site describes itself as "Free Ranked Choice Voting for Everyone," and the source title states the RCV calculator is "Always free." The page does not list pricing tiers or payment options, so treat "free" as the stated positioning rather than a detailed pricing breakdown.

How to decide whether to register

  • Register a free account if you need to track ballots over time or want the full feature set — the site explicitly ties tracking and "all features" to signing in.
  • Skip registration for now if you just want to try the RCV calculator or set up a single ballot to see how it works.
  • Check the Instructions and FAQ first if you are new to RCV, then look at a sample ballot before building your own.
  • Review "Pros and cons of RCV" if you are deciding whether ranked choice voting fits your group's decision.

To get started, use "Set up ballot" from the top menu, and explore the menu bar to reach the tools and reference sections described above.