Ranked Choice Voting in Virginia

What is Ranked Choice Voting?

Ranked Choice Voting is a simple change to the ballot that enables a better voter experience, better campaigns, and ultimately, better government.

Instead of picking just one candidate, a voter has the option to rank their candidates in order of preference — 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and so on.

How Does Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) Work?

1. Voters have the option to rank candidates in order of preference: 1st choice, 2nd choice, 3rd choice, and so on.
2. If no candidate receives majority support on the initial round, the last place candidate is eliminated and that candidate’s 2nd place votes are redistributed to the remaining candidates.
3. The process continues until a winner has earned over 50% of voters’ support.

Counting votes in RCV (single-winner)

Counting votes in RCV (single-winner)

Counting votes in RCV (single-winner)

Counting votes in RCV (single-winner)

Counting votes in RCV (single-winner)

Why Ranked Choice Voting now?

• Our politics is polarized and paralyzed, and the incentive structure is skewed.
• More people than ever are stepping up to run for office, and our current system isn’t built to support more choice.

Ranked Choice Voting in Virginia

HB1103 - Local RCV pilot program

Passed in 2020, patroned by Del. Sally Hudson

Allows localities to adopt RCV for local legislative elections (City Councils and County Boards of Supervisors)

Arlington County Board

Arlington County Board used RCV in their June 2023 Primaries for County Board and adopted an ordinance in Dec. 2023 to use RCV in all future County Board Primaries. They will also use RCV in the 2024 General Election.

BREAKING NEWS: Charlottesville will use RCV in June 2025.