A preferential vote involves ranking choices in order of preference. This type of vote can be transferable or weighted. In transferable voting, candidates win by reaching the required number of votes. If no candidate reaches this number, the least-preferred candidate is dropped and their votes transfer to the next-preferred candidate on each ballot. This process continues until enough candidates reach the threshold or the number of surviving candidates equals the number of representatives still to be elected. A weighted vote is a nontransferable preferential vote where the strength is allocated among the ranked preferences either by the voter or according to a series of fixed weights.
A preferential vote is a voting method where the voter ranks the choices in order of preference. This vote can be either transferable or weighted. In transferable voting, a candidate wins if their first-choice votes reach the required number, also known as the “threshold.” If no candidate reaches the threshold, the candidate with the least preference is eliminated, and their votes are transferred to the next preferred candidate on each ballot. This process continues until enough candidates reach the threshold or the number of remaining candidates matches the number of representatives to be elected. For instance, in a student council president election, a voter may rank the candidates as follows: 1) John, 2) Sarah, 3) Michael. If John receives the most first-choice votes but falls short of the threshold, then Michael, the least preferred candidate, is eliminated, and his votes are transferred to the next preferred candidate on each ballot. If Sarah receives enough transferred votes to reach the threshold, she becomes the winner of the election.
A preferential vote is a voting system in which voters rank candidates in order of preference.
In a preferential vote, voters rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives a majority of first preference votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and their votes are redistributed to the remaining candidates based on the voters’ second preferences. This process continues until one candidate receives a majority of votes.
The purpose of a preferential vote is to ensure that the winning candidate has the support of a majority of voters.
No, a preferential vote is not used in all elections. It is most commonly used in elections where there are multiple candidates running for a single position.
No, in a preferential vote, each voter can only vote for each candidate once.
Yes, voters can choose to leave some candidates unranked in a preferential vote.
If a voter only ranks one candidate in a preferential vote, their vote will only count for that candidate.
No, once a voter has cast their vote in a preferential vote, they cannot change their preferences.
If two candidates receive the same number of votes in a preferential vote, the candidate with the most first preference votes will be declared the winner.
Yes, voters can choose to spoil their ballot in a preferential vote by not ranking any candidates or by ranking candidates in an invalid way.
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This glossary post was last updated: 17th April 2024.
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