Make your ballot make a difference.
Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) empowers San Francisco voters to rank candidates in order of preference. Here’s your guide to ranking well.
How RCV works
Rank your favorite candidate as your 1st choice.
If you love a candidate, put them at the top of your ballot.
Rank the other candidates you like in order of preference.
Your 2nd choice only counts if your 1st choice is eliminated.
Leave off any candidates you dislike.
You don't have to rank every candidate. If you don’t like someone, don't rank them.
If a candidate gets 50%+ of 1st choices, they win.
If not, the last place candidate is eliminated and their votes go to each voter's next choice. This repeats until there's a majority winner.
Tips for ranking well
1.
Rank as many or as few
candidates as you want.
Ranking more choices gives you
more say in the outcome.
2.
Don’t rank the same
candidate twice.
Even if you really like them,
only list a candidate once on your ballot.
3.
Never rank a candidate
you don’t support.
Ranking someone, even as your last choice, could help them win.
4.
Your 1st choice matters most.
Lower rankings only count if your top pick lose, so focus on who you rank 1st.
Common questions
What are the benefits of RCV?
RCV ensures winners have broad support, eliminates vote splitting, encourages positive campaigning, and saves money on runoff elections.
What if I only want to vote for one candidate?
That's okay! You can rank as many or as few candidates as you like. Your vote will still count for your 1st choice.
Can I give multiple candidates the same ranking?
No, you can only rank each candidate once. Giving multiple candidates the same ranking may result in your ballot being invalidated.
Do I have to rank every candidate on the ballot?
No, you can leave candidates you don't support unranked. In fact, it's best not to rank candidates you dislike, as this could help them win.
What happens if I rank a candidate multiple times?
Only your highest ranking for that candidate will count. Lower rankings for the same candidate are ignored.
Does RCV favor any political party?
No, RCV is a nonpartisan voting method that treats all candidates equally regardless of party affiliation.
How are RCV ballots counted?
RCV ballots are tallied in rounds, with the lowest-scoring candidates eliminated and their votes redistributed each round until there's a majority winner.
What happens if my 1st choice is eliminated?
Your vote is transferred to your next ranked candidate who's still in the running. This ensures your voice is heard even if your top pick doesn't win.