Instant Runoff Voting
A ranked-choice voting system where voters rank candidates and the least popular candidates are eliminated in rounds until one achieves a majority.
Updated April 23, 2026
How Instant Runoff Voting Works
Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference rather than choosing just one. When votes are counted, if no candidate has a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest first-choice votes is eliminated. Voters who selected the eliminated candidate as their first choice then have their votes transferred to their next preferred candidate. This process repeats until one candidate achieves a majority, ensuring the winner has broad support.
Why Instant Runoff Voting Matters
IRV addresses the "spoiler effect" common in plurality voting, where a minor candidate can split the vote and cause a less popular candidate to win. By allowing ranking, voters can support their favorite candidate without fear of wasting their vote. This system encourages more honest voting, reduces negative campaigning, and can lead to election outcomes that better reflect the electorate's true preferences.
Instant Runoff Voting vs. Other Ranked Systems
Unlike other ranked-choice methods like the Single Transferable Vote (STV), which is used for multi-winner elections, IRV is designed specifically for single-winner races such as presidential or mayoral elections. While IRV eliminates candidates in rounds, STV also transfers surplus votes to achieve proportional representation. Additionally, IRV differs from approval voting, where voters simply approve or disapprove candidates without ranking.
Real-World Examples
IRV has been adopted in several countries and U.S. jurisdictions. Australia uses IRV for its House of Representatives elections, ensuring members have majority support. In the United States, cities like San Francisco and Minneapolis use IRV for local elections. Maine became the first state to use IRV in statewide elections, including for governor and congressional seats, aiming to improve voter choice and election fairness.
Common Misconceptions
Some believe IRV always guarantees the most broadly acceptable candidate wins, but in rare cases, it can still produce controversial outcomes due to vote transfers and voter rankings. Others mistakenly think it is complicated for voters; however, ranking candidates is straightforward and often easier than strategizing in plurality systems. Additionally, IRV does not eliminate the need for voter education and election security measures.
Example
In the 2018 Maine gubernatorial election, Instant Runoff Voting was used to ensure the winner had majority support after multiple rounds of vote counting.
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