Ranked Choice Voting

In November 2021 , Broomfield residents voted to implement ranked choice voting for municipal offices.

What is Ranked Choice Voting?

Ranked Choice Voting is an election method that allows voters the option to rank candidates in order of preference (first choice, second choice, third choice, and so on) when there are three or more candidates. If a candidate receives more than 50% of the first choices, that candidate wins, just like in any other election.

During the first round of tabulation, the voting system tabulates the first-choice ranks on each ballot. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the first-choice ranks on each ballot, the voting system must continue to the next round of tabulation. During the next round of tabulation, the voting system must ensure that the candidate with the fewest first-choice ranks in the first round is eliminated and the eliminated candidate’s votes are transferred to each ballot’s next-ranked continuing candidate. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes cast after the second round the voting system must repeat additional rounds of tabulation until there is a winning candidate.

For a visual on how votes are counted in rounds, visit NYC Votes.

Which Elections will use Ranked Choice Voting?

If there are more than two candidates, Broomfield will only use ranked choice voting when electing the mayor and city council.

RCV FAQs

When can I expect results in ranked choice voting elections?

Final results in ranked choice elections will not be known until all absentee and military ballots are counted, which can take a week or longer after Election Day.

Does ranking multiple candidates mean I have multiple votes?

No. Your vote only counts for the highest active candidate on your ballot. Your vote will only count for your 2nd choice if your 1st choice is eliminated, and so on.

What is ranked choice voting?

Ranked choice voting is a voting method that allows voters to rank election contest candidates in order of preference when there are three or more candidates.

Can I rank my favorite candidate more than once?

No. If you rank your preferred candidate more than once then only your first ranking will count. There is no strategic benefit to giving the same candidate multiple rankings. It does not help them, and it takes away your chance to have a say about whom you would choose next out of the remaining candidates. This is another way to “exhaust” your ballot

Can I still vote for just one candidate?

Yes! You can still vote for just your 1st- choice candidate. However, ranking other candidates does not harm your 1st choice. If your 1st and only choice is eliminated, your vote will have no influence on the outcome of the election. This is often referred to as an “exhausted ballot”.

Can I write in a candidate?

Yes. To vote for a candidate whose name is not on the ballot, write their name on the “Write-in” line and fill in an oval to rank your write-in choice.

Those interested in becoming a qualified write-in candidate may complete a write-in candidate affidavit.

What is plurality voting?

Plurality is a method of voting where the number of votes is limited to the number of offices to be filled. The candidate who receives the highest number of votes is elected.

What happens if I give a candidate multiple rankings?

The candidate will be credited with the highest ranking. All other rankings for that candidate must be ignored.

How do I mark a ballot?

Follow the directions on your ballot above the ranked choice voting contest(s). You rank your candidate choices by 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc. place by filling the oval in the appropriate column for the candidate. Do not give multiple candidates the same ranking.

How are the votes counted?

During the first round of tabulation, the voting system tabulates the first-choice ranks on each ballot. If no candidate receives over 50 percent of the first-choice ranks on each ballot, the voting system must continue to the next round of tabulation.

During the next round of tabulation, the voting system must ensure that the candidate with the fewest first-choice ranks in the first round is eliminated and the eliminated candidate’s votes are transferred to each ballot’s next-ranked continuing candidate.

If no candidate receives over 50 percent of the votes cast after the second round the voting system must repeat additional rounds of tabulation until there is a winning candidate.

View All FAQs

With ranked choice voting, voters mark their ballots in order of preference – 1st choice, 2nd choice, 3rd choice, and so on.

Select a first-choice candidate by completely filling in the oval next to the candidate's name in the FIRST CHOICE column.
If you have a second-choice candidate, completely fill in the oval next to that candidate’s name in the SECOND CHOICE column.
If you have a third-choice candidate, completely fill in the oval next to that candidate’s name in the THIRD CHOICE column.
You can continue to rank candidates until you run out of allowable rankings or run out of candidates.

To see an example of how to mark your ballot with rank choice voting, see a practice ballot at San Francisco Elections web page.

Important points about correctly marking a ranked voting ballot

Mark only one choice per column.
Mark only one choice per candidate.
- Do not skip rankings. For example, do not fill in 1st and 3rd choices without filling out a 2nd choice.
- You may rank as few candidates as you would like.
- You may rank as many candidates as are allowed.

EXAMPLES:

EXAMPLE 1:

This is a correctly marked ballot on which the voter has indicated a 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice.

EXAMPLE 2:

This ballot is incorrect. The voter has overvoted 2nd ranking where 1st choice is marked correctly, two candidates are marked for 2nd choice, 3rd choice is not marked.

How this voter’s ballot will be counted:

The first choice will be counted.
The second choice vote will not be counted – voter’s intent cannot be determined because this column has been overvoted.

EXAMPLE 3:

This ballot is incorrect. The voter has a duplicate ranking in which the same candidate is marked for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices.

How this voter’s ballot will be counted:

The first choice will be counted.
If the first-choice candidate is eliminated, the second and third choices cannot be considered, as they are duplications.

Resource: Ranked Choice Voting Resource Center