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Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) in the 2025 Regular Local Election
Did you know? This year’s Regular Local Election uses Ranked Choice Voting for the races for Mayor and City Council. Want to learn how RCV works and what to expect at the polls? Explore the quick video and FAQs below.
Ranked Choice Voting FAQs
Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) helps ensure that winners are chosen by a true majority of voters—not just a small plurality. Instead of picking only one candidate, voters can rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives more than 50% of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and those ballots count toward each voter’s next available choice. This process continues until one candidate earns a majority.
RCV encourages more positive campaigns, reduces “vote-splitting,” and allows voters to express their full range of preferences—making elections more representative and giving every voter a stronger voice.
RCV lets voters rank candidates in order of preference (1st choice, 2nd choice, 3rd choice, and so on). First choices are counted. If no candidate has a majority, the last-place candidate is eliminated and those ballots move to the next available choice listed by each voter. Rounds continue until someone reaches a majority.
No. You can rank as many or as few as you prefer. Ranking backups never hurts your top choice—backups are only considered if your higher choices are eliminated.
First choices are counted first. If no one has a majority, the lowest-finishing candidate is eliminated and ballots for that candidate move to the next ranked choice listed by those voters. This repeats until a candidate reaches a majority.
No. Mark one candidate per rank. If you make a mistake, ask a poll worker for a new ballot before you cast it.
Only your first ranking would count, and you’d lose the chance to list backups. Rank one candidate per rank so your preferences can continue to count in later rounds if needed.
Try our fun community contest—Nickname the Ballot Sorter—and practice ranking choices in a live, nonpartisan vote. Go to the practice ballot.
Yes, RCV races show multiple columns of rankings for each candidate. You’ll fill in one oval per rank (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.). To see your exact ballot layout, view your sample ballot here.
More Resources
Practice Marking an RCV Ballot
Our ballot sorter helps us scan and open thousands of mail-in ballots per hour. It automatically updates our chain of custody, so voters get notified as soon as their ballot is received. The sorter is helping us prepare for Santa Fe County’s growing number of permanent absentee—or “pajama”—voters. Now, it needs a name worthy of the role it plays in our elections!
Learn How to View Your Sample Ballot
Want to see what your Ranked Choice ballot will look like? Visit our Sample Ballot page to preview the real layout you’ll use at the polls. It’s a great way to get familiar with the format before you vote.
Additional Resources
Still have questions?
Email the Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office at elections@santafecountynm.gov.