Understand. Implement. Administer.

LESSON 3:

Marking the RCV Ballot

Learning Objectives

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Marking the RCV Ballot

The following example is based on an RCV election in which voters are allowed to rank their top three choices. Sometimes more, up to all candidates, are allowed to be ranked.

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SELECT CHOICES

Marking the RCV Ballot

• Make only one choice per column.
• Do not skip columns.
• You may rank as few candidates as you would like.
• You may rank as many candidates as are allowed.
• You may vote for a write-in candidate by writing the name on the “Write-in” line, if allowed.

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CORRECTLY MARKING THE RCV BALLOT

Marking the RCV Ballot

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INCORRECTLY MARKED RCV BALLOT – EXAMPLE 2

• First choice vote will be counted.
• Second choice vote will not be counted – voter’s intent cannot be determined.
• Third choice not selected.

REMEMBER:

Only select one candidate for each ranking.

Marking the RCV Ballot

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INCORRECTLY MARKED RCV BALLOT – EXAMPLE 3

• First choice will be counted.
• If the first choice is eliminated, second and third choices are meaningless.

REMEMBER:

Only one vote for each candidate is allowed.

Marking the RCV Ballot

This concludes Lesson 3: Marking the RCV Ballot, which illustrated the correctly and incorrectly marked ballots. Explore more about Lesson 3 in the companion workbook.

Please continue with Lesson 4: How RCV Ballots Are Counted by returning to the Educational Toolbox of the Ranked Choice Voting Resource Center and selecting the next lesson.

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SUMMARY