What Is Ranked Choice Voting and How Does It Work?

Ranked choice voting (RCV) is a voting method in which voters rank candidates in order of preference—first, second, third, and so on—rather than choosing just one. According to FairVote, a nonpartisan organization that researches and advances voting reforms, RCV is designed to make elections fairer for all voters by giving them more voice and reducing the worry that a vote will be "wasted" or that a candidate will act as a "spoiler." It is used in a growing number of U.S. elections, including statewide contests in Alaska and Maine and in 13 cities and counties as of the 2026 election cycle.

How the Ranking Works

Instead of marking a single candidate, you mark your preferences in order. FairVote describes the process simply: voters have the freedom to rank candidates as first, second, third, and so forth. This means you can support your favorite candidate without fear that doing so helps elect someone you dislike, because your vote can transfer to a later preference if your first choice is eliminated.

Why It Matters: The Spoiler Problem

In a traditional plurality election, a third candidate can "split" the vote and cause a less-preferred candidate to win—the so-called spoiler effect. FairVote points to a concrete example: with ranked choice voting, Alaskans "don't need to worry about 'spoilers.'" Because voters can rank multiple candidates, they are not forced to choose between voting their conscience and voting strategically.

What It Changes for Candidates

RCV doesn't just change how voters behave—it changes how candidates campaign. As FairVote explains, candidates must attract people's second- and third-place votes, which gives them a strong incentive to make broad-based appeals rather than narrow ones. The Washington Post Editorial Board made a similar point in October 2024, noting that the system encourages candidates to reach beyond their base.

Where It's Being Used

FairVote's homepage highlights that ranked choice voting will be used in the 2026 elections in Alaska and Maine, along with 13 cities and counties. The organization also tracks related reforms, including proportional representation, which aims to ensure that different groups of voters elect winners in proportion to their share of the vote.

Related Reform: Proportional Representation

FairVote distinguishes RCV from proportional representation. While RCV is about ranking candidates within a contest, proportional representation focuses on multi-seat elections: instead of electing one legislator, different groups of voters elect winners in proportion to their share of the votes cast. The two reforms can be combined—FairVote publishes resources on "proportional ranked choice voting" as well.

Where to Learn More

FairVote offers several resource categories for people who want to go deeper:

• Research reports on election reform
• Data on RCV and data on proportional RCV
• RCV "how to's" and ballot tools for practical guidance
• Exit surveys showing voter reactions to ranked choice voting

These materials are aimed at voters, organizers, and researchers who want evidence and hands-on tools rather than just a definition.