What is it?

Ranked-Choice Voting (also known as instant runoff voting) allows voters to rank a first, second, third, fourth, and fifth choice candidate for a single office. This makes it possible to elect local officials by majority vote without the need for a separate run-off election.

Voters in Albany, Berkeley, Oakland and San Leandro will use Ranked-Choice Voting to elect most local officials. Ranked-Choice Voting does not affect the election of County, State and federal officials or the approval or rejection of ballot measures.

 

Does my vote still count if...

I vote for the same candidate five times?
Yes, your vote will only count once.
I only select one choice?
Yes.

 

Keep In Mind:

Your second choice will be counted only if your first choice candidate has been eliminated. Your third choice will be counted only if both your first choice and second choice candidates have been eliminated. Your fourth choice will be counted only if your first choice, second choice, and third choice candidates have been eliminated.Your fifth choice will be counted only if your first choice, second choice, third choice, and fourth choice candidates have been eliminated.

What is Ranked-Choice Voting?

Ranked-Choice Voting or "Instant Run-Off Voting," allows voters to rank up to five candidates, in order of preference, when marking their ballots. Ranked-choice voting eliminates the need for run-off elections, and is approved for use in Albany, Berkeley, Oakland and San Leandro.

Does my vote still count if I vote for the same candidate five times?

Yes. Your vote will count only once for that candidate.

Does my vote still count if I only select one choice?

Yes. Your vote will count for your one choice.

Who is elected using a Ranked-Choice Voting ballot?

Albany voters use Ranked-Choice Voting to elect Members of the City Council and the Members of the Board of Education. Berkeley voters use Ranked-Choice Voting to elect the Mayor, Members of the City Council, and the City Auditor. Oakland elects its Mayor, City Council members, City Attorney, City Auditor, and School Directors using Ranked-Choice Voting. San Leandro uses Ranked-Choice Voting to elect its Mayor and City Council members.

How are Ranked-Choice votes counted?

Berkeley/Oakland/San Leandro: With Ranked-Choice Voting, if a candidate receives a majority (50%+1) of the first-choice votes cast for that office, that candidate will be elected. However, if no candidate receives a majority of the first-choice votes cast, an elimination process begins. The candidate who received the fewest first-choice votes is eliminated. Next, each vote cast for that candidate will be transferred to the voter's next-ranked choice among the remaining candidates. This elimination process will continue until one candidate receives a majority and is deemed the winner.

Albany: With Ranked-Choice Voting, to win one of the 2 City Council Seats, a candidate must earn more the 1/3 of the votes. To win one of the 3 Board of Education seats, a candidate must earn more than 1/4 of the vote.

How Do I Mark The Ranked-Choice Voting Ballot?

The Ranked-Choice ballot card is designed in a side-by-side column format and lists the names of all of the candidates with five repeating columns. This format allows a voter to select a first-choice candidate in the first column, a second-choice candidate in the second column, a third-choice candidate in the third column, a fourth-choice candidate in the fourth column, and a fifth-choice candidate in the fifth column. Voters will fill in the bubble in the corresponding colunm next to the name of the candidate they choose.

Must I rank five candidates for each office?

No. A voter may—but is not required to—rank five choices for each office. If there are fewer than five candidates for the same office, or to rank fewer than five candidates, you may leave any remaining columns blank.

If I really want my first-choice candidate to win, should I rank the candidate as my first, second, third, fourth, and fifth choice?

No. Ranking a candidate more than once does not benefit the candidate. If a voter ranks one candidate as the voter's first, second, third, fourth, and fifth choice, it is the same as if the voter leaves the second, third, fourth, and fifth choice blank. In other words, if the candidate is eliminated that candidate is no longer eligible to receive second, third, fourth, or fifth choice votes.

Can I give candidates the same ranking?

No. If a voter gives more than one candidate the same ranking, the vote cannot be counted. Only one candidate can represent the voter's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth choice.

Can I write a candidate's name on my ballot in any column?

Yes. Each column provides space for qualified Write-In candidates. Only qualified Write-In candidates can receive votes. After writing the name of the qualified candidate, be sure to fill in the bubble next to the space.

Will there be a subsequent run-off?

No, Ranked-Choice Voting eliminates the need for run-off elections.

What if I have further questions?

If you have further questions about ranked-choice voting, please call the Alameda County Registrar of Voters Office at (510) 272-6933.