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

See Examples For:

preferential voting

The other big stabiliser for Australia, say experts, is preferential voting – where voters effectively number their candidates in order of who they want to win.

From BBC ● Mar. 27, 2025

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

From New York Times ● May 2, 2024

But in the Oscars’ preferential voting system, where members rank their choices, a passionate core of first-place votes can catapult a nominee higher in the race.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 24, 2023

One actually explained preferential voting well, he said.

From Washington Post ● May 14, 2022

Classes A and B are elected by the member banks by a system of group and preferential voting designed to prevent the large banks from outvoting the smaller ones.

From Modern Economic Problems Economics Volume II by Fetter, Frank Albert