Frequently Asked Questions

This document aims to prepare proponents for questions and criticisms they may receive. Since frequent questions are likely to change over time, we expect to edit it over time.

Effects

How easy is RCV to use?

What is the effect of RCV on turnout?

Does RCV create an incentive for a candidate to not really “stand for anything” to win, and to just try to pick up everyone’s 2nd choices?

Shouldn’t the winner be the candidate who has the best GOTV, the one most capable of turning out their base?

Will RCV guarantee/cause more Green/Libertarian/Socialist/Communist/Tea Party/Puppy-Kicking Party candidates to be elected? Doesn’t RCV further entrench the two party duopoly by favoring major party candidates?

Does RCV force me to have my vote for a candidate I don’t support?

What is the impact of RCV on the role of money in politics?

Tabulation

How many candidates do I need to rank?

Does RCV “throw your vote away” when your ballot is exhausted?

Can I vote for the same person multiple times?

Can I just vote for one person or do I have to rank them all?

I have a favorite candidate and I rank them first. If I vote for other people (for 2nd or 3rd) will that hurt my first choice?

Why do you eliminate the candidate who receives the fewest first choice votes?

How does RCV compare to delayed runoff and top-two systems?

How does RCV compare to other alternative voting methods?

Why not use a Condorcet voting method instead?

Does RCV affect what candidates need to do to get on the ballot (ballot access)?

Implementation

Wasn’t the implementation in New York City messy?

How easy will RCV be for election clerks to administer?

How secure are RCV elections?

What does a recount look like under RCV?

How does tabulation work in small towns that hand count their ballots?

Is it constitutional? I heard there were constitutional issues in Maine?

Does RCV uphold the principle of “one person, one vote”?