Legal Definitions - choice voting

Choice voting is a type of preferential voting where voters rank candidates in order of preference. It is also known as single transferable vote. Under choice voting, a candidate wins if their first-choice votes reach the number needed to win, or the "threshold." If no candidate reaches the threshold, the least-preferred candidate is dropped and their votes transfer to the next-preferred candidate on each ballot. This process continues until enough candidates reach the threshold or the number of surviving candidates equals the number of representatives still to be elected.

For example, in an election with five candidates and three seats available, voters rank the candidates in order of preference. If a candidate receives enough first-choice votes to reach the threshold, they are elected. If not, the candidate with the fewest first-choice votes is eliminated, and their votes are transferred to the next-preferred candidate on each ballot. This process continues until three candidates reach the threshold and are elected.

Choice voting is used in some local and state elections in the United States, as well as in other countries such as Ireland and Australia.