Preferred Voting

Preferred voting is a system where voters rank candidates in order of preference rather than choosing just one. If no candidate wins a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed based on the next preferences indicated on those ballots. This process continues until a candidate achieves a majority. Preferred voting helps ensure that the elected candidate has broader support, reduces "wasted" votes, and better reflects voters' true preferences. It aims to produce more representative and consensus-based election outcomes.