In primary and special elections for local offices, you can rank up to 5 candidates in order of preference instead of choosing just one.

HOW DOES RANKED CHOICE VOTING WORK?
You can rank up to five candidates in order of preference, instead of choosing just one. If a candidate receives more than 50% of 1st-choice votes, they are the winner. If no candidate earns more than 50% of 1st-choice votes, then counting will continue in rounds. At the end of each round, the candidate with the fewest votes will be eliminated. If you ranked that candidate 1st, your vote will go to the next highest ranked candidate on your ballot. This process will continue until there are two candidates left. The candidate with the most votes wins.

HOW TO FILL OUT YOUR RANKED CHOICE BALLOT
With Ranked Choice Voting, you can rank up to five candidates in order of preference instead of choosing just one. Here’s how to fill out your ballot:
Pick your 1st choice candidate and completely fill in the oval next to their name under the 1st column.
If you have a 2nd choice candidate, fill in the oval next to their name under the 2nd column.
You can rank up to five candidates. You can still vote for only one candidate if you prefer. However, ranking other candidates does not harm your 1st choice.

In primary and special elections for local offices, you can rank up to 5 candidates in order of preference instead of choosing just one.

CAN I STILL VOTE FOR JUST ONE CANDIDATE?
Yes! You can still vote for just your 1st choice candidate. However, ranking other candidates does not harm your 1st choice. If your 1st and only choice is eliminated, your vote will have no influence on the outcome of the election.

DO I HAVE TO RANK A TOTAL OF 5 CANDIDATES?
No. You can rank up to five candidates, but you do not need to rank a total of five.

CAN I RANK MY FAVORITE CANDIDATE MORE THAN ONCE?
No. If you rank your preferred candidate more than once (for example as your 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th choice), then only your first ranking will count. There is no strategic benefit to giving the same candidate multiple rankings. It doesn’t help them, and it takes away your chance to have a say about who you’d choose next out of the remaining candidates (This is another way your ballot can get “exhausted”).

CAN I RANK MULTIPLE CANDIDATES AS MY FIRST CHOICE?
No. You can only choose one candidate for each ranking. If you choose more than one candidate as your 1st choice, your ballot will not be valid.

DOES RANKING 5 CANDIDATES MEAN I HAVE 5 VOTES?
No. Your vote only counts for the highest active candidate on your ballot. Your vote will only count for your 2nd choice if your 1st choice is eliminated, and so on.

HOW DO I VOTE FOR A WRITE-IN CANDIDATE?
To vote for a candidate whose name is not on the ballot, write the name on the “Write-in” line and fill in an oval to rank your write-in choice.

WILL THE VOTING MACHINE TELL ME IF I MAKE A MISTAKE ON MY BALLOT?
If you vote in person, the voting machine will let you know if you give multiple candidates the same ranking. If you make a mistake, you can ask a poll worker for a new ballot. However, the voting machine will not let you know if you skip rankings or rank the same candidate multiple times, since your top-choice vote will still count in those cases.

CAN I VOTE EARLY BEFORE ELECTION DAY?
Yes! You can vote early in person from June 12-June 20. You can also vote by mail by requesting an absentee ballot.

CAN I STILL VOTE IN PERSON IF I REQUEST OR SUBMIT AN ABSENTEE BALLOT?
Yes! If you vote in person after requesting or submitting an absentee ballot, your absentee ballot is automatically disqualified. Only your in person vote will count. You can either vote early or on Election Day. You do not need to bring your ballot with you.

CAN I VOTE ABSENTEE IN PERSON?
Sounds strange, but it’s true! You can vote absentee in person at your borough’s Board of Elections office. Offices are open 9am-5pm Monday through Friday, and on the weekend prior to Election Day. This can be a helpful option if you miss the deadline to request a ballot online or by mail. On Election Day offices are open until 9pm.

CAN I JOIN A PERMANENT ABSENTEE BALLOT LIST?
Yes! If you are permanently ill or disabled and cannot get to your poll site, you can join the Board of Elections permanent absentee ballot list. To join, check the box marked “permanent illness or physical disability” on the absentee ballot application. The Board of Elections will automatically send you an absentee ballot application for every election you are qualified to vote in.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS DOESN’T RECEIVE MY BALLOT BY ELECTION DAY?
The Board of Elections can receive ballots up to seven days after Election Day. However, you must postmark by June 22 for your ballot to be valid.