We have a new method of voting for municipal primary and special elections. New York City will now use Ranked Choice Voting for the offices of Mayor, Public Advocate, Comptroller, Borough President and City Council.
WHAT IS RCV (RANKED CHOICE VOTING)?
Ranked Choice Voting allows us as voters to rank candidates in our order of preference starting with the candidate you love, ranking them #1 to the candidate you can stand, ranking them #5.
Counting begins after ALL ballots are received. In order for a candidate to win, they must win 50%+1 of the total vote. If no one receives 50+1 on the first ballot, the candidate with the least votes is eliminated. For those who voted for that eliminated candidate, your vote is redistributed to your second choice. The rounds continue until there are two candidates left.
How are ballots counted?
CAN I VOTE FOR THE SAME CANDIDATE MORE THAN ONCE?
Ranking one candidate as your first, second and third choice is the same as leaving the second, third and other choices blank. You do not improve a candidate's chances of winning by voting for that candidate more than once.
IF I RANK OTHER CANDIDATES, DOES IT AFFECT MY FIRST CHOICE?
No. Ranking other candidates does not affect your first choice.
WHAT IF I DON’T WANT TO RANK ALL THE CANDIDATES?
You do not have to rank all five. But if you only vote for one candidate your ballot could be exhausted and you lose a voice in the election if your candidate is eliminated and rounds continue.