Ranked-choice voting (RCV) uses a round-by-round count of ballots to eliminate the candidates with the least support and to ensure that the candidate with majority support wins. Ranked-choice voting reduces wasted votes and encourages people to vote sincerely, rather than strategically. 

In any election, however, one thing remains the same: the public – voters, candidates, parties, and the media – will have an intense interest in learning the results. Because RCV uses a new method to identify who won, the process for releasing results in RCV races can be especially important to minimize confusion, to convey results in a way that gives people the information they need, and to ensure the outcome is trusted and understood.

FairVote and the Ranked Choice Voting Resource Center have analyzed results from hundreds of RCV contests. Based on that experience, we recommend the following tried and true tips:

1. Release a preliminary round-by-round tally on Election Night

2. Continue to release preliminary tallies as more votes are counted

3. Conduct vote total checks with each release of preliminary results

4. Include ballots with write-in candidates as a single batch in the first round

5. Publish the full ballot record so that anyone can verify the result 

6. Make use of existing tools for visualizing RCV results

7. Clearly communicate expectations, timelines, and results

Following these best practices – to the extent permitted by state law – can help instill public confidence in the electoral process and its outcome.