Ranked-Choice Voting
Instant-Runoff Voting
A voting system where voters rank candidates in order of preference instead of picking just one. If no candidate wins a majority, the lowest-ranked is eliminated and those votes redistribute until someone does.
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Origin
Also known as instant-runoff voting (IRV), the method was first proposed by William Robert Ware in 1871. It has been used in Australian federal elections since 1918 and has gained traction in U.S. cities including New York City (2021), San Francisco, and the state of Alaska. Proponents argue it reduces the "spoiler effect" and encourages more civil campaigning.
Updated February 22, 2026