{"id":2448448,"date":"2025-06-17T15:20:02","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T19:20:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-down-new-york-citys-ranked-choice-voting-system-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-06-17T15:21:52","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T19:21:52","slug":"breaking-down-new-york-citys-ranked-choice-voting-system-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-down-new-york-citys-ranked-choice-voting-system-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Breaking down New York City\u2019s ranked choice voting system &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fbreaking-down-new-york-citys-ranked-choice-voting-system-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2448448&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses New York City&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" ><a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/georgia-house-passes-omnibus-election-reform-bill\/\" title=\"Georgia House Passes Omnibus Election Reform Bill\">ranked choice<\/a> voting<\/a> (RCV) system, which allows voters to list up to five candidates in order of preference. This system was implemented in 2019, following a public vote that saw 73% support, and was first used in the 2021 mayoral election. in the upcoming Democratic primary, there are 11 candidates, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/donald-trump-indicted-three-takeaways-from-former-presidents-third-indictment\/\" title=\"Key takeaways from Donald Trump&#039;s third indictment.\">including notable figures<\/a> like former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani.<\/p>\n<p>The process begins with voters ranking thier preferences. If no candidate receives more then 50% of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed according to voters&#8217; next preferences. This continues until one candidate achieves a majority. Proponents argue this approach provides a more representative outcome, while critics argue that it can be confusing and result in unexpected winners, as seen in past elections. <\/p>\n<p>The article also highlights the upcoming primary on June 24, noting that early voting is already in progress, and mentions that ranked choice voting has faced legislative opposition, with 17 states currently banning the system.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Breaking down New York City&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/adams-remains-frontrunner-in-wide-open-race-to-be-nycs-next-mayor-poll-shows\/\" title=\"Adams Remains Frontrunner In Wide-Open ... To Be NYC\u2019s Next Mayor, Poll Shows\">ranked choice voting system<\/a><\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2135560\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-york-city\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">New York City<\/a> Democrats will choose their nominee for mayor in next week&rsquo;s primary election. The city uses ranked choice voting, allowing voters to select up to five candidates in order of preference.<\/p>\n<p>This year&rsquo;s Democratic primary will have 11 candidates on the ballot, including former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Assemblyman <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3434519\/who-is-zohran-mamdani-socialist-candidate-eric-adams-nyc-mayor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Zohran Mamdani<\/a>, City Comptroller <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3403631\/new-york-city-mayoral-candidate-brad-lander-crushes-tesla-in-ad\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Brad Lander<\/a>, Councilwoman <a href=\"https:\/\/ballotpedia.org\/Adrienne_Adams\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Adrienne Adams<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3434519\/who-is-zohran-mamdani-socialist-candidate-eric-adams-nyc-mayor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">several other candidates<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3444595\/byron-donalds-david-jolly-gun-control-stance-florida-governor-race\/\">Byron Donalds targets David Jolly on gun control stance as Florida governor&rsquo;s race heats up&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3444338\/steve-hilton-mocks-newsom-brief-rebranding\/\">Steve Hilton mocks Newsom&#8217;s brief rebranding: &#8216;He didn&#8217;t do anything&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3444130\/democrats-dnc-squabbles-as-bruised-egos-and-minuscule\/\">Democrats brush off intra-DNC squabbles as &#8216;bruised egos&#8217; and &lsquo;minuscule&rsquo;<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>New York City implemented ranked choice voting in 2019 after 73% of voters supported it. It was first used in the 2021 mayoral election. ranked choice voting is used only for municipal elections, such as for mayor and City Council, but not in district attorney races, which are technically state offices.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/nyc-static.electionhub.com\/sampleballots\/386777\/10\/2025P1V1_ELE_DEM_Style_97.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">ballot<\/a> is in a grid format with candidate names on the left and columns for each numbered choice. The voter then ranks up to five choices.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>If more than 50% of voters rank a particular candidate as their first choice, that person wins.<\/p>\n<p>If no candidate breaches 50% of first-choice votes, then the votes for the candidate with the lowest vote are redistributed in rounds based on voters&rsquo; rankings. If a voter&rsquo;s top pick has the fewest first-choice votes among all voters, that candidate is then eliminated from the race, and all of those voters&rsquo; second-choice picks are counted up.<\/p>\n<p>In each round of redistribution, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and those votes are reallocated again.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>These rounds will continue until just two candidates remain, and whoever has the most votes between the two wins the election.<\/p>\n<p>Advocates of ranked choice voting say the &ldquo;instant runoff&rdquo; system allows voters more power over who wins, as opposed to just picking one person. They say it gives room for winning candidates who are more representative of what the voting body wants as a whole.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In this election, for example, Mamdani and Lander have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3441195\/mamdani-lander-unite-against-cuomo-nyc-mayoral-democratic-primary\/https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3441195\/mamdani-lander-unite-against-cuomo-nyc-mayoral-democratic-primary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">endorsed each other<\/a> to give themselves the best chance in the &ldquo;instant runoff.&rdquo; <span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">There is additionally a &ldquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.newyorker.com\/magazine\/2025\/06\/23\/a-new-progressive-rallying-cry-dont-rank-evil-andrew\" target=\"_blank\">Don&rsquo;t Rank Cuomo<\/a>&rdquo; campaign stemming mostly from Mamdani supporters who are urging voters not to rank Cuomo to diminish his chances of advancing in the runoff rounds.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In races like this one, with many candidates and no ranked choice, candidates can win without reaching even close to a majority of votes. For example, in New Jersey&rsquo;s Democratic primary last week, Rep. Mikie Sherill <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3437671\/rep-mikie-sherrill-wins-democratic-primary-new-jersey-governor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">won the race<\/a> in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3435505\/new-jersey-governor-democratic-primary-contenders-taking-on-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">crowded field<\/a> against five other candidates, but she only received about 34% of the vote.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Advocates of the system say it makes races less expensive, as there is no need for a runoff election if voters have already selected their second, third, or fourth candidate they would support if their top candidate does not win.<\/p>\n<p>Critics of the system say it is overly complicated and can lead to mistakes. Another critique of ranked choice voting is that the candidate who receives the most votes in round one can sometimes not win the overall race, as the runoffs occur.<\/p>\n<p>For example, in the 2018 election in Maine&rsquo;s 2nd Congressional District, Bruce Poliquin led polling in the first round with a plurality of votes (45.6%) against four candidates. When ranked choice voting redistributions took place, about 8.1% of the total votes went to candidates that were not viable, and when those candidates were eliminated and votes were shifted to voters&rsquo; next ranked choices, Poliquin ended up with 49.5%, and current Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) won with 50.5%.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3442972\/eric-adams-nyc-mayor-general-election-challenges-andrew-cuomo-zohran-mamdani-despite-primary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>ADAMS EXPECTS GENERAL ELECTION CHALLENGES FROM CUOMO, MAMDANI DESPITE PRIMARY<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Seventeen states have outright banned ranked choice voting in recent years, according to the conservative <a href=\"https:\/\/stoprcv.com\/research\/iowa-becomes-the-17th-state-to-join-the-stop-rcv-movement\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Stop Ranked-Choice Voting Coalition<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The New York City Democratic primary will be held on June 24. Early voting is underway and will continue through June 22.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2135560\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2135560\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>New York City&#8217;s ranked choice voting system explained for the upcoming mayoral primary<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2910,"featured_media":2448449,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/nyc-ranked-choice.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[6571,36462,57332,41362,32076],"class_list":["post-2448448","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-elections","tag-new-york-city","tag-ranked-choice-voting-2","tag-voting-system","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/nyc-ranked-choice.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2448448","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2910"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2448448"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2448448\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2448452,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2448448\/revisions\/2448452"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2448449"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2448448"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2448448"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2448448"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}