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How do single-winner and multi-winner ranked-choice voting work?

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On Nov. 5, 2024, Portlanders will use ranked-choice voting to elect a mayor, auditor, and three councilors to represent their district. They will use single-winner ranked-choice voting to elect the mayor and auditor, and multi-winner ranked-choice voting for councilors.
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How does single-winner ranked-choice voting work? 

  • Once a candidate receives more than half of the votes in a given round, that candidate is declared the winner.
  • If no winner is determined in a round, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and any votes for that candidate are shifted to those voters’ next choice.
  • A new round begins, and this continues until a winner is declared.

Here's an example of how the votes are counted in each round

In single winner ranked-choice voting, a candidate that passes 50% of the mark is elected. In this example, Candidate A (in purple) receives over 50% of the votes.
In single winner ranked-choice voting, a candidate that passes 50% of the mark is elected. In this example, no one receives over 50% but Candidate E receives the least amount of votes so they are eliminated.
In single winner ranked-choice voting, a candidate that passes 50% of the mark is elected. In this examples, no one reached the 50% mark so one candidate is eliminated and their votes go to voters' next choice.
In single winner ranked-choice voting, a candidate that passes 50% of the mark is elected. In this examples, no one reached the 50% mark so one candidate is eliminated and their votes go to voters' next choice.
In single winner ranked-choice voting, a candidate that passes 50% of the mark is elected. In this examples, no one reached the 50% mark so one candidate is eliminated and their votes go to voters' next choice.
In single winner ranked-choice voting, a candidate that passes 50% of the mark is elected. In this examples, no one reached the 50% mark so one candidate is eliminated and their votes go to voters' next choice.
In this round, candidate C has been eliminated and their votes have shifted to Candidates B and F.
In single winner ranked-choice voting, a candidate that passes 50% of the mark is elected. In this examples, no one reached the 50% mark so one candidate is eliminated and their votes go to voters' next choice.
In single winner ranked-choice voting, a candidate that passes 50% of the mark is elected.

How does multi-winner ranked-choice voting work?

Multi-Winner Ranked-Choice Voting

  • Any candidate receiving more than 25% of the votes is declared a winner.
  • If any candidate has received more votes than required to win, their extra votes are shifted to those voters’ next choice.
  • If no winner is determined in a round, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and any votes for that candidate are shifted to those voters’ next choice.
  • A new round begins, and this continues until three candidates have received over 25% of the vote. The winners are declared.

Here's an example of how the votes are counted in each round

In multi-winner ranked-choice voting, a candidate that gets 25%+ of the mark is elected.
In multi-winner ranked-choice voting, a candidate that gets 25%+ of the mark is elected.
In multi-winner ranked-choice voting, a candidate that gets 25%+ of the mark is elected.
In multi-winner ranked-choice voting, a candidate that gets 25%+ of the mark is elected.
In multi-winner ranked-choice voting, a candidate that gets 25%+ of the mark is elected.

Watch videos that explain how tabulation works

Find additional languages on Multnomah County's YouTube channel


Frequently Asked Questions 

How are the thresholds calculated? In a multi-winner election, what's the surplus fraction?

The election threshold equals the total votes on active ballots counted for active candidates in the first round of tabulation, divided by the sum of one plus the number of seats to be elected, then adding one, and disregarding any fractions.

                                       (Total Votes Counted)      
Election Threshold =     (Seats to be Elected + 1) + 1, disregarding any fractions

The surplus fraction is calculated by subtracting the election threshold (“T”) from an elected candidate’s vote total (“V”), then dividing that number by that elected candidate’s vote total, and then truncating that number after four decimal places, where the candidate’s “vote total” is the total transfer value of all ballots counting for a candidate in a round of tabulation.
                               (V − T) 
Surplus Fraction =    V
After determining the active ballots’ new transfer value, the active ballots cast for any candidate elected under this are then transferred at their current transfer value to those ballots’ next highest-ranked active candidate, if any. If two or more candidates have more votes than the election threshold for the contest in the same round, their surpluses are transferred simultaneously. 

More information on the election threshold and surplus fraction are in Election Code 2.08.030 Ranked-Choice Voting.

Will my vote be counted as a fraction in a multi-winner election then? 

In a multi-winner election, if a fraction of your vote is transferred to another candidate due to an elected candidates’ surplus, that fraction will be added to other votes for the new candidate.

For example, if a candidate receives more than the number of votes they need to be elected, their extra votes will be divided among their voters' next ranked choices. If a candidate receives 10% more votes than they need, each voter who picked them as their first choice will have 10% of their vote go to their next choice. However, 90% of voters’ votes will remain with their first choice.

Where can I learn how to register to vote, update my voter registration, and where to return my ballot after voting? 

The Multnomah County Elections Division conducts all local, city, county, state and federal elections for the citizens of Multnomah County. Visit Multnomah County Elections Division to learn more about registering to vote, updating voter registration, voting by mail, election results and more. 

There are also resources available for Portland voters who live in Washington and Clackamas county:

When will we know the results of the election?

Multnomah County will serve as the central tabulator and will report results for City candidate contests. The County will begin to release unofficial results after 8pm on election night and provide regular updates in the days following as additional ballots are tallied. 

With ranked choice voting, the eventual winners after final round-by-round tabulation may not be the candidates who receive the most 1st choice rankings. As with all elections, results are unofficial until certified. In 2024, certification by the County will happen by December 2. The City will report official results to city council by December 18. Candidates can find all unofficial results before certification on Multnomah County’s website. 

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