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For Voters

Find information on Oakland's ranked choice voting system.

Ranked Choice Voting 101 

Ranked choice voting (RCV) replaces low-turnout primaries and divisive runoffs with one high turnout election. Voters rank candidates in order of preference and elect the winner in an "instant runoff" between the strongest candidates.

How To Cast a Ranked Ballot:

Ranked choice voting is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Just follow these steps.

Step 1:  Mark your 1st preference - the candidate you love - in the 1st column.

Step 2: Mark your 2nd preference - the candidate you like - in the 2nd column.

Step 3: Mark your 3rd preference - the candidate you can live with - in the 3rd column.
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Why Rank Your Ballot?

By ranking your 3 favorite candidates, you unlock the full potential of your vote.  If you only select 1 candidate and that candidate loses, your ballot does not continue in the remaining rounds of counting, which is why it's in your best interest to rank 3 candidates. By ranking beyond a 1st choice, voters are able to stay involved in the electoral process. 

Why Ranked Choice Voting?

  • Upholds the principle of majority rule
  • Minimizes "wasted" votes
  • Opens the political process to new voices
  • Advances more diverse representation
  • Promotes civil, inclusive, and less expensive campaigns
  • Combines 2 elections into 1, so voters only have to make 1 trip to the polls
5 Facts About Ranking:

  • You can rank up to 3 candidates on your ballot.
  • Ranking a 2nd or 3rd choice will NEVER hurt your first choice. 
  • The only time your 2nd choice matters is if your 1st choice candidate is eliminated.
  • Ranking only 1 choice or ranking the same candidate for all 3 choices, does not help your 1st choice candidate.
  • If you only select 1 candidate, and that candidate loses, your ballot will be exhausted.

Ranked Choice Voting 201

The Alameda County Registrar of Voters has made a series of videos explaining ranked choice voting for East Bay communities. For an in-depth look at ranked choice voting, watch these videos and review the materials below. 

Want To Try It Out?

Follow this link and practice voting in this year's RCV elections, and look at results from past RCV elections.

Local Resources 

Alameda Co. RCV FAQ
Alameda Co. RCV Brochure 
LWV of Oakland FAQ on RCV
LWV Addresses RCV Concerns
California IRV Coalition Fact Sheet
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