preferential voting

American  

noun

1. a system of voting designed to permit the voter to indicate an order of preference for the candidates on the ballot.

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preferential voting British  

noun

1. a system of voting in which the electors signify their choices, as of candidates, in order of preference

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Etymology

Origin of preferential voting

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

That replaces a type of preferential voting in which voters could indicate a second choice.

From New York Times • May 2, 2024

These elections feature preferential voting, allowing constituents to rank their favoured candidates in order.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2024

And in a preferential voting system, that’s all you need — to be liked, a lot.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 21, 2023

One actually explained preferential voting well, he said.

From Washington Post • May 14, 2022

Proportional representation and preferential voting I have mentioned.

From A Preface to Politics by Lippmann, Walter