Election Day 11.8.11

On November 8, when you head to the polls to cast your vote for Mayor of Portland you'll be using ranked choice voting to do it. 

HOW IT WORKS

• Instead of voting for only one candidate for mayor, you get to rank candidates in order of your preference. 
  

• It takes a majority to win the election.  A majority is anything over 50% of the total votes + 1. 
  

• If a majority of voters rank your candidate first, that candidate is elected. 
  

• If nobody has a clear majority of votes on the first count, a series of runoffs are simulated, using each voter’s rankings indicated on the ballot. Watch the video on the homepage to see this explained.

HOW YOUR VOTE COUNTS

• Your vote always counts for your highest ranked candidate who can use it to get elected. Your second and third choices are fall-back choices and will never hurt your first choice.
  

• Your best strategy is to rank as many candidates as you prefer to win. Ranking fewer or just one candidate does not benefit them at all.
  

• Your vote will continue to count until one candidate receives the majority of continuing votes.
  

More Resources

League of Women Voters of Portland Area Voter Guide
FairVote on Instant Runoff Voting
Portland City Clerk's Office
Created by FairVote and the Maine League of Young Voters