Political Dictionary
Instant runoff voting is a ranked-choice method that simulates successive runoff rounds using one ballot.
Definition
Instant runoff voting is a single-winner form of ranked-choice voting. Voters rank candidates. If no candidate has the required majority of active ballots, the lowest-finishing candidate is eliminated and those ballots transfer to the next ranked continuing candidate.
Why It Matters
The method avoids a separate runoff election and seeks to produce a majority winner among continuing ballots. It can affect campaign strategy and how voters evaluate minor candidates.
How It Works
Officials count first-choice votes, eliminate the lowest candidate, transfer ballots, and repeat. Ballots without a remaining ranked candidate become exhausted and are no longer included in later-round active totals.
History
The method developed from preferential voting systems used in the nineteenth century and has been adopted in several countries and U.S. jurisdictions.
Example
In a four-candidate mayoral race, two candidates may be eliminated in separate rounds before the final two are compared.
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