The Most Popular Voting Method, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the voting method you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 21, 2024 07:44
In a world filled with choices, determining the most favored options can sometimes feel overwhelming. By consolidating opinions through a voting system, we can streamline this process, providing a clear snapshot of what is most appreciated by the majority. This method not only simplifies decision making but also highlights the preferences of a diverse group.
Engaging in this voting process empowers individuals by giving them a voice in shaping the outcome. Each vote contributes to forming a live ranking, reflective of real-time preferences. Thus, participating not only helps others see what's trending but also allows each participant to express their opinion on what they believe stands out among the rest.
What Is the Most Popular Voting Method?
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165votesThis is the most commonly used voting method in the world, including in many democratic countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In this method, voters select one candidate or option, and the candidate with the most votes wins. However, this method can lead to the election of candidates who do not have majority support and is prone to tactical voting.Plurality voting, also known as 'first-past-the-post' or 'winner-takes-all,' is a popular voting method used in many countries. In this method, voters cast their ballots for candidates, and the candidate with the most votes wins the election. It is a simple and familiar voting system that is widely used around the world.
- Voting Process: Voters select one candidate from a list of options.
- Winner Determination: The candidate with the most votes is declared the winner.
- Majority Requirement: No majority is required; the candidate with the most votes wins, even if it is not a majority.
- Ballot Complexity: Simple and easy for voters to understand and participate in.
- Representation: It may result in winner-takes-all representation, favoring larger parties or candidates.
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220votes
Hshook · CC BY-SA 4.0Also known as ranked-choice voting, this method allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed to their supporters' second choices. This process continues until one candidate has a majority. This method is used in several countries and some U.S. cities.Instant-runoff voting is a ranked choice voting method used to elect a single winner. It allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference. The candidate with the fewest first-choice votes is eliminated, and their votes are transferred to the next preferred candidate. This process continues until a candidate receives a majority of the votes.- Preference ranking: Instant-runoff voting allows voters to rank candidates based on their preferences.
- Elimination of candidates: The candidate with the fewest first-choice votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed.
- Transfer of votes: When a candidate is eliminated, their votes are transferred to the next preferred candidate.
- Continual elimination: The process of eliminating candidates and redistributing votes continues until a candidate receives a majority.
- Majority requirement: In order to win, a candidate must secure a majority of the votes.
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320votes
Created by Rspeer using Inkscape. Modified by Mark. · CC BY-SA 3.0In this method, voters can select any number of candidates they approve of, and the candidate with the most votes wins. This method is simple and eliminates the need for rankings, but it can still lead to the election of candidates with low approval ratings. -
422votesThis method aims to ensure that the number of seats a party wins in an election is proportional to the number of votes they receive. This method is used in many countries, including Germany and New Zealand, and is seen as a fairer way to represent diverse opinions. However, it can lead to weaker and less stable governments.Proportional representation is a voting method that aims to allocate seats in a legislative body in proportion to the number of votes each political party or group receives. It ensures that the overall composition of the legislative body reflects the distribution of political support in the electorate.
- Multi-member constituencies: Proportional representation typically involves the use of multi-member constituencies rather than single-member districts.
- Party Lists: Political parties provide a ranked list of candidates, and the seats are distributed based on the proportion of votes received by each party.
- Allocation of Votes: Seats are allocated using various mathematical formulas such as the D'Hondt method or the Sainte-Laguë method.
- Proportional Representation Types: There are different types of proportional representation systems, including Party-list PR, Single Transferable Vote (STV), and Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP) systems.
- Fairness: Proportional representation aims to enhance fairness and ensure that parties are represented in proportion to their level of support.
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516votes
Single transferable vote
Thomas Hare and Carl AndraeThis method is similar to instant-runoff voting but is used to elect multiple candidates in a single election. Voters rank candidates in order of preference, and candidates are elected based on reaching a certain quota of votes. This method is used in some countries, including Ireland and Malta.The Single Transferable Vote (STV) is a ranked-choice voting method that allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference. It is designed to ensure proportional representation and minimize wasted votes. In this method, voters can vote for multiple candidates and can also indicate their preferences by ranking them.- Proportional representation: STV aims to achieve proportional representation by allocating seats to candidates based on the proportion of votes they receive.
- Transferable votes: If a candidate surpasses the required threshold of votes to be elected, their surplus votes are transfered proportionally to the next ranked candidates on their supporters' ballots.
- Candidate rankings: Voters rank candidates according to their preferences, which helps in electing candidates with broader support.
- Vote counting process: The counting process involves multiple rounds of elimination and transfer of votes until candidates reach the required threshold or all available seats are filled.
- Quota determination: The Droop quota is commonly used to determine the number of votes required for a candidate to be elected.
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616votes
Borda count
Jean-Charles de BordaIn this method, voters rank candidates in order of preference, and each rank is assigned a point value. The candidate with the most points wins. This method is used in some academic and scientific elections but is not widely used in politics.The Borda count is a method for determining preferences in voting. It assigns points to each preference option and calculates the total score for each option. The option with the highest score is considered the most preferred.- Voting Process: Voters rank the available options in order of preference.
- Score Calculation: Points are assigned to each preference option based on its ranking, starting from the highest preference. The highest-ranked option receives one point, the second-highest receives two points, and so on.
- Score Summation: The total score for each option is calculated by summing the points assigned to it by all voters.
- Winner Determination: The option with the highest total score is declared the winner.
- Preference Level Consideration: The Borda count takes into account the preference level of each option, as indicated by the ranking.
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75votes
Condorcet method
Nicolas de CondorcetThis method aims to elect the candidate who would win in a head-to-head matchup against every other candidate. Voters rank candidates in order of preference, and a pairwise comparison is made between each candidate. The candidate who wins the most pairwise comparisons is elected. This method is not widely used in politics but is seen as a fairer way to elect candidates.The Condorcet method is a voting system that determines the winner of an election based on pairwise comparisons between candidates. It calculates the winner by identifying the candidate that would win against every other candidate in a head-to-head match-up.- Pairwise comparison: Candidates are compared against each other in all possible match-ups.
- Majority criterion: If a candidate wins against every other candidate in pairwise comparisons, they are the overall winner.
- Condorcet loser criterion: If a candidate loses against every other candidate in pairwise comparisons, they cannot be the winner.
- Independence of irrelevant alternatives: The ranking of candidates does not change if a less preferred candidate is added or removed.
- Smith criterion: If there is a candidate who would defeat any other candidate in pairwise comparisons, they are the winner.
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82votes
Laoeuaoeu · CC BY-SA 3.0In this method, voters assign a score to each candidate, and the candidate with the highest average score wins. This method is not widely used in politics but is seen as a fairer way to measure voter preferences.Range voting is a voting method where voters rate each candidate on a scale, and the candidate with the highest total score wins the election.- Scoring Scale: Voters assign a score to each candidate, typically within a predetermined range, like 0 to 10.
- Total Score: The candidate with the highest total score from all voters wins the election.
- Individual Ratings: Each voter's ratings are evaluated independently of others' ratings.
- Simple Ballot: The process is usually conducted using a simple, single-choice paper or electronic ballot.
- Directness: Voters can express their preferences optimally by giving higher scores to their most preferred candidates.
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92votesThis method is used in many countries, including France and Russia, to elect a single candidate. In the first round, all candidates compete, and the top two candidates advance to a runoff election. The candidate with the most votes in the runoff election wins. This method can lead to strategic voting in the first round and is criticized for excluding minor parties.The Two-round system is a voting method where elections are conducted in two rounds. Candidates compete in the first round, and if no candidate receives an absolute majority, a second round is held between the top two candidates from the first round.
- Voting Rounds: Two
- First Round: Candidates compete
- Second Round: Top two candidates from first round compete
- Winner Determination: Candidate with the majority of votes in the second round
- Absolute Majority Requirement: None
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106votes
Mixed-member proportional representation
Karl-Hermann FlachThis method combines a first-past-the-post system with proportional representation. Voters have two votes, one for a candidate and one for a party. Half the seats are elected by the first-past-the-post system, and the other half are filled by party lists to ensure proportional representation. This method is used in some countries, including Germany and New Zealand.Mixed-member proportional representation (MMP) is a voting method that combines elements of both proportional representation and single-member district systems. It aims to achieve a balance between electing representatives based on a party's overall share of the vote and maintaining geographic representation.- Main Principle: Combining proportional representation and single-member districts
- Party List Seats: Allocated based on party's overall share of the vote
- Constituency Seats: Directly elected representatives in single-member districts
- Party Threshold: Minimum percentage required for a party to be eligible for party list seats
- Dual Ballot: Voters cast separate votes for a specific candidate and a preferred party
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular voting method
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SimplicityThe simplicity of the voting method is important to ensure that it is easy for voters to understand and use.
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AccuracyThe voting method should accurately reflect the preferences of the electorate.
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FairnessThe voting method should treat all candidates and voters equally, regardless of their political affiliation, race, or other factors.
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Independence of irrelevant alternativesThe voting method should be able to handle changes in the candidate pool without changing the results of the election.
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Resistance to strategic votingThe voting method should not incentivize voters to vote strategically rather than for their sincere preferences.
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EfficiencyThe voting method should produce results in a timely and efficient manner.
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TransparencyThe voting process should be transparent, allowing for scrutiny and accountability.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular voting method. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or method is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1762 views
- 171 votes
- 10 ranked items
Movers & Shakers
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each method once every 24 hours. The rank of each method is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular voting method
Background Information: What is the Most Popular Voting Method?
Voting is a fundamental aspect of democracy, and it is essential to have a reliable and fair system to determine the winner. There are various voting methods, including plurality voting, instant runoff voting, ranked-choice voting, and approval voting. However, determining the most popular voting method can be challenging due to the diverse opinions and preferences of people.
Plurality voting is the most common voting method used globally, where voters cast their ballot for a single candidate, and the candidate with the most votes wins. This voting method is simple and easy to understand, but it often leads to a winner who does not have a majority of support.
Ranked-choice voting, also known as preferential voting, allows voters to rank their candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives a majority of first-preference votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are transferred to the remaining candidates based on the voters' next preferences. This process continues until a candidate receives a majority of votes.
Instant runoff voting is similar to ranked-choice voting, but instead of eliminating candidates one by one, voters rank their candidates, and the candidate with the fewest first-choice votes is eliminated. The votes for the eliminated candidate are then transferred to the remaining candidates based on the voters' next preferences. This process continues until a candidate receives a majority of votes.
Approval voting is a simple voting method where voters can vote for as many candidates as they want, and the candidate with the most votes wins. This method eliminates vote splitting
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