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

The contest will be conducted using a preferential voting system.

From BBC • Aug. 22, 2024

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

From New York Times • May 2, 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

In a triangular debate two or three subjects are proposed by each team, and then one is selected by preferential voting of all the contestants, first choice counting three points, second two, and third one.

From The Making of Arguments by Gardiner, J. H.