What is RCV123.org?

Updated

RCV123.org is a free online platform for running ranked choice voting (RCV) elections, polls, and group decisions. It is operated by a non-profit focused on ranked choice voting education, and it is designed so that organizations can set up and conduct secure RCV elections without paying for software. If you need to run a single election, a quick poll, or a recurring group decision and want ranked ballots rather than a simple plurality vote, RCV123 is built for that use case.

What RCV123 does

The site centers on a few connected tasks:

  • Set up a ballot — create the election or poll and define the choices voters will rank.
  • Collect votes — voters rank the options rather than picking just one.
  • Count the results — the platform handles the ranked-choice tally.
  • Use the RCV calculator — a standalone tool for computing RCV outcomes.
  • Import data — support for spreadsheet upload and Google Classroom & Forms import.
  • Track ballots — signing in lets you track your ballots and access all features.

The stated purpose is to make it easy for organizations to conduct secure RCV elections, and the site frames the service as "Free Ranked Choice Voting for Everyone."

Who it is for

RCV123 targets any group that needs a collective decision:

  • Organizations running internal elections or votes
  • Groups polling members on a set of options
  • Anyone who wants ranked choice voting instead of first-past-the-post
  • Educators and others interested in RCV as a topic, since the operator is an education-focused non-profit

Because the platform is positioned as free and non-profit-run, cost is not presented as a barrier to entry. The site does not list pricing tiers or payment requirements in the material available; it describes the service as free and always free in its own title.

How to get started

  1. Go to rcv123.org.
  2. Choose Set up ballot if you want to run an election or poll.
  3. Define your choices and configure the ballot.
  4. Share it with voters so they can rank the options.
  5. Use the counting tools to see the RCV result.

If you want to track ballots and reach the full feature set, sign in or create a free account. The site also offers sample ballots and a new-features section, which are useful for seeing how an RCV ballot looks before you build your own.

What to check before committing

  • Account vs. no account — setting up a ballot appears available from the main page, but tracking ballots and accessing all features requires signing in. Decide whether you need tracking before you start.
  • Import path — if your voter list or choices already live in a spreadsheet or Google Classroom/Forms, the import options may save setup time.
  • RCV familiarity — if your voters have never ranked candidates, the site's education focus and sample ballots can help explain the process. The site also links to pros and cons of RCV, which is worth reading if you are deciding whether RCV fits your decision.

RCV123 is best understood as a free, non-profit-run tool for running ranked choice elections and polls end to end — setup, voting, and counting — with optional accounts for tracking and full features.