FAQs • City and County of Broomfield, CO • CivicEngage

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.

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Elections - RCV (IRV)

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1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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”.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. Where can I find official election results?: Broomfield will share unofficial election results after polls close on Election Day. After all absentee ballots have been received, we will hold Canvass and release certified results. You can find election results at www.votebroomfield.com

12. Am I allowed to rank only one candidate?: Yes. You may choose to rank only one candidate.

13. Do I have to rank every candidate?: You do not have to rank every candidate. However, a skipped ranking and any lower ranking must be ignored.

14. What if there are only two candidates?: There must be at least three candidates to use ranked voting. If there are only two candidates the winner will be determined by plurality.