Ranked-Choice Voting Explorer

The counting rules in Maine law

• Under Maine law, a candidate ranked first on more than half of all ballots cast for the office wins. Maine law
• If no candidate has that majority, the count goes on in rounds, and each continuing ballot counts as one vote for its highest-ranked continuing candidate. Maine law
• When two or fewer candidates remain, the one with the most votes wins; while more than two remain, the last-place candidate is removed and a new round begins. Maine law
• A ballot is exhausted, and counts for no candidate, when it ranks no continuing candidate, has an overvote (more than one candidate at the same ranking) at its highest continuing ranking, or skips two or more rankings in a row before its highest continuing ranking. Maine law
• A tie between last-place candidates in any round is decided by lot, and a tie for the most votes in the final round is decided as section 732 of the same title provides. Maine law

Alaska

• As of Sept. 25, 2026, Alaska’s Division of Elections, which does not oversee city or borough elections, says Alaska law requires ranked-choice voting in all general elections, with only the top four primary finishers for an office on the general election ballot, plus a space for write-in candidates except in presidential races; the state holds no presidential primary. Alaska Division of Elections
• Alaska’s election office says that for a candidate to win, “they must receive a majority (50% + 1) of total votes cast,” and that if no one has a majority of first choices, counting goes on in rounds until a candidate reaches one. Alaska Division of Elections
• Alaska’s counting guide says candidates are eliminated until two remain, and the candidate with the most votes wins. Alaska counting guide

Like Maine’s statute, Alaska’s counting guide says that when two candidates are left, the one with the most votes wins, as in the illustration’s last round.