How ranked choice voting does work in US elections as Alaska’s 2026 Senate race draws scrutiny

How the counting works

Voters rank candidates in order of preference. A candidate who gets more than half of first-choice votes wins. If no one reaches that threshold, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and ballots are counted again according to voters’ next choices. The process continues until a candidate has a majority of the votes remaining in the final round. Unlike a traditional runoff, the process takes place through successive counts from one election, rather than requiring voters to return to the polls.

Support and concerns

Supporters say ranking candidates lets voters back their top choice without worrying that doing so will waste a vote if that candidate is unpopular. They also argue the system can bring more varied viewpoints into elections and encourage candidates to cooperate.

Critics worry that voters could misunderstand the ballot and rank the wrong candidate, affecting how votes are transferred in later rounds. They also warn that multiple counts could delay results and weaken public confidence in them.

Alaska’s Senate dispute

Alaska and Maine are the only states using ranked-choice voting statewide. New York City and San Francisco use it in local elections; Hawaii applies it to certain special elections, and Washington, DC, is set to use it for federal and local elections starting in 2026.

The Alaska ballot lists incumbent Republican Dan S Sullivan and retired teacher Daniel J Sullivan Jr, who has no party identification beside his name. Republicans have said the similar names could confuse voters and draw support from the senator.

Trump has sued Alaska, seeking to prevent certification of the Senate results if the incumbent loses. The case has raised concerns about federal involvement in a state-run election process.

Where the system is used

Maine adopted ranked-choice voting in 2016 after concerns that candidates could win without majority support. The state first used it in congressional elections in 2018. The system is also used in various local elections around the country. The National Conference of State Legislatures estimates that 19 states have laws restricting or prohibiting it.