Designing Ranked Choice Voting Ballots

Good ballot design and effective voter education make informed and confident voters. This is especially important when voters use a new method voting, like Ranked Choice Voting.

It can be a challenge to fit everything on a ballot, especially on mixed contest ballots with multiple languages and many candidates. But, good design will help you fit everything you need to and support both novice and advanced RCV voters.

For us at CCD, a successful RCV vote means that:

• Voters understand how to mark the ballot to express their intent.
• Voters make their own decision about ranking.
• Voters feel confident that their voice will be heard.

This resource contains best practice guidelines for Ranked Choice Voting ballot layout and design. They are for anyone designing a RCV or mixed contest ballot.