Ranked Choice Voting with Borda Count

How ranked choice voting works in ElectionChamp

A ranked ballot asks voters to put candidates in order: first choice, second choice and so on. What happens next depends on the counting rule. ElectionChamp counts ranked ballots with the Borda count.

Under Borda count voting, every rank is worth points. The top rank earns the most points and each lower rank earns fewer. ElectionChamp adds each candidate's points across all ballots, and the highest totals win. Voters can rank as many candidates as there are seats, so a question with 3 seats asks for a 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice.

Lower preferences count toward the result as well as first choices. A candidate who is many members' second choice can beat one who is a smaller group's first choice. That is why Borda tends to pick broadly acceptable winners.

Borda count example

Borda count vs instant runoff

Many people say "ranked choice" and mean instant runoff voting (IRV), the method used in many US city elections. Some bylaws use the phrase the same way. IRV counts first choices, eliminates the last-place candidate and moves those ballots to their next choice. It repeats until one candidate has a majority.

ElectionChamp does not run instant runoff. It counts ranked ballots with Borda points, with no elimination rounds. The two methods can order the candidates differently from the same ballots. Counted as an instant runoff for one seat, the example above drops Dev and then Chloe. Her 18 ballots move to Ben, who beats Ana 38 to 22. Borda puts Chloe first because she ranks high on every ballot.

Read your bylaws before you choose. If they say instant runoff, or describe dropping candidates in rounds, a Borda count is the wrong count for that race. You can still collect the ballots in ElectionChamp. Set Total winners to the number of candidates so members can rank them all, and keep the in-app results to yourself, since they would mark every candidate as a winner. When voting closes, export the ranked results as CSV and run the IRV count in a separate tool. Our ranked choice voting calculator guide shows how to tally instant runoff rounds in a spreadsheet. Confirm the method with your bylaws and counsel.

When Borda count fits

Borda rewards candidates that most voters rate well. It suits decisions where broad acceptance matters more than a passionate base:

• Consensus picks, such as a shortlist of venues the whole group can accept.
• Awards and recognition, where members or judges rank finalists.
• Committee choices, like choosing three members from several volunteers.
• Ranking options, such as next year's priorities or event themes, where the point totals give you a full order.

When Borda count is the wrong choice

Skip Borda when your bylaws name instant runoff, STV or a majority requirement. A Borda winner may not hold a majority of first choices, as Chloe shows.

Borda can also reward tactical ranking. A voter can push a strong rival to the bottom of the ballot to cut that rival's points. This matters more in small groups where members know each other's preferences. For a contested director race between clear factions, plurality may be simpler to defend. For several seats split in proportion to member support, use STV with our free calculator.

How to set up a ranked ballot in ElectionChamp

1. On the Ballot step, add a ballot item and choose Ranked.
2. Type the candidates or options, and set Total winners to the number of seats. Voters can rank that many. Add photos and bios with Photo & bio if you want them.
3. Write voter instructions that explain the count, for example: "Rank the candidates in order. Higher ranks earn more points."
4. Turn on Random order so no one gains from the top spot.
5. Check the phone preview beside the question, add your voters on the Voters step and launch.

When voting closes, results show each candidate's point total and the winners, and you can export the ranked results as CSV. Weighted voting works with ranked choice too. Every method is on every plan, priced per election. See pricing.