Updated: September 9th, 2025
Voting systems determine how citizens select leaders and make decisions in elections. There are several different voting methods, but three main types are widely used around the world: first-past-the-post voting, preferential voting, and majority voting. Preferential voting, also known as ‘ranked-choice voting,’ allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference, ensuring that the elected candidate has broader support rather than just a simple plurality of votes.
Understanding the types of votes and how each system works is essential for voters, policymakers, and organizations. Each method has its own advantages, drawbacks, and impact on election outcomes, and knowing the differences helps stakeholders make informed decisions, whether in government elections, schools, or other institutions.
First, it is essential to remember that countries use various voting systems across the globe. Some are currently in practice, while others are purely theoretical. According to the electoral experts, you can classify voting systems into three categories, which we will consider shortly.
Though these systems may have similar outcomes or features, they also have advantages and disadvantages. Their main differences are typically in their voting procedures and not necessarily their results.
It is also crucial for all stakeholders in the electoral process to fully understand what a preferential ballot is since it has become an essential topic regarding how officials will conduct future elections.
The information below intends to provide you with more information regarding the three central voting systems so that you can see how they may affect you whenever you go to cast your ballot.
| Voting System | How It Works | Key Advantage | Typical Use Cases |
| First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) | Voter casts a single vote; candidate with most votes wins | Simple and quick results | Federal/state elections, schools, organizations |
| Preferential Voting | Voter ranks candidates in order of preference; if top fails, next choice counts | Ensures winner has majority support | Australian elections, ranked-choice elections globally |
| Majority Voting | Candidate must receive >50% of votes; if not, a second round occurs | Guarantees majority support | Elections requiring clear mandate or second ballot system |
Under the first-past-the-post voting system, the voter gets the option of casting a single vote for the candidate of their choice. Among those vying for the post in question, the person who receives the most ballots wins.
Aside from state and federal elections, the first-past-the-post voting method is in place in institutions, schools, and other organizations. The main reason is that voters only need to pick their most preferred candidate.
The system can also elect candidates to two positions. The candidate with the most votes is elected to the senior position, whereas the candidate with the second-highest votes fills the other role. For example, consider a school captain and vice-captain.
Aside from the United States, many countries use the first-past-the-post voting method, including Canada and India.
The main idea behind the preferential voting system is to provide voters with a means of ranking the candidates vying for a particular seat in order of their choice (preference). Voters assign the number one next to their first choice. Then they put the number two next to their second, and so forth.
If a voter’s first choice of candidate fails to be elected, officials may re-examine their vote, and their other preferences will have consideration. By doing this, candidates can build an absolute majority of support (more than 50% of the votes) instead of the simple majority required under the first-past-the-post voting method.
Despite this system being more complex, preferential voting is considered a better option since it delivers a satisfactory result to most voters. The method was first used in an Australian federal election back in 1917 during a by-election in Victoria for an upcoming general election for both houses of their federal parliament.
Some people refer to the majority voting method as the plurality electoral system. In this case, a candidate does not need more than 50% of the votes to be declared the winner. In stricter terms, for any aspirant to be declared the winner in the majority voting process, they must garner more than 50% of the votes.
In some circles, this is known as the second ballot system, as it requires a pure majority of 50%-plus-one-vote to win. If none of the other contenders attain this margin, then a second election must be held with only a few candidates from the first round. The one who reaches the 50%-plus-one-vote target will then be declared the winner.
It is fair to say that until recently, most of the electoral systems used across the globe have usually proved remarkably resilient to any radical change, regardless of how hard some institutions push for their reform. However, this pattern has broken down in several established democracies in the last decade. The emergence of revitalized governments has also played a significant role in the revival of interest in what criteria officials should use for voting.
Given these developments, the primary goal of the information provided above is to outline the main variants between the different kinds of voting methods currently in use. It also intends to stir up the right kind of debate among stakeholders of the sector, especially regarding the reformation of the status quo.
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