Legal Definitions - preferential vote

A preferential vote is a voting system where electors rank candidates in order of their preference (1st choice, 2nd choice, 3rd choice, etc.), rather than simply selecting a single candidate. This system is designed to ensure that the winning candidate has the support of a majority of voters, even if they don't receive a majority of first-preference votes initially. If no candidate achieves an absolute majority of first-preference votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed to the voters' next preferred choices. This process continues until one candidate secures a majority.

• Example 1: Municipal Mayoral Election

  Imagine a city holding an election for its new mayor. There are four candidates, and the city uses a preferential voting system. Instead of simply marking one candidate, voters are asked to rank all four candidates from 1 (most preferred) to 4 (least preferred) on their ballot. If, after counting all the first-preference votes, no candidate has more than 50% of the total votes, the candidate with the fewest first-preference votes is eliminated. The ballots that ranked the eliminated candidate as their first choice are then re-examined, and those votes are transferred to the candidate ranked #2 on those specific ballots. This process continues until one candidate achieves a majority, ensuring the elected mayor has broad support from the community.

• Example 2: Professional Association Board Election

  A national association for architects is electing a new president for its board of directors. There are three highly qualified candidates. To ensure the elected president truly represents the collective will of its members, the association employs a preferential voting method. Members cast their votes by ranking the candidates from first to third choice. If the initial tally of first-preference votes does not yield a candidate with an outright majority, the candidate with the lowest number of first-preference votes is removed from the running. The votes from those who chose the eliminated candidate as their top pick are then reallocated to their second-choice candidate. This mechanism allows the association to elect a president who commands majority support, even if they weren't the initial top choice for every voter.

• Example 3: University Student Council Election

  At a large university, students are voting to elect a new representative for their student council. There are five students campaigning for the position. The university's election rules mandate a preferential voting system, requiring students to rank their choices from 1 to 5. This means that a student's vote isn't lost if their most preferred candidate doesn't win. If no candidate secures a majority of first-preference votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. The votes from those who ranked the eliminated candidate as their first choice are then transferred to their second-choice candidate. This process continues until one candidate achieves a majority, ensuring the elected student representative has a strong mandate from the student body, reflecting a broader consensus of preferences.