In 2019, New York City voters approved “ranked choice voting.” This means that voters can rank their choices for a public office (i.e., first choice, second choice, third choices, etc.). Therefore, if a candidate wins a majority of votes (more than 50%), the candidate wins outright, as per usual. But if no candidate wins a majority, the candidate who did the worst is eliminated, and that candidate’s voters’ ballots are redistributed to their second-choice pick. That process continues until there is a candidate who has the majority of votes. Ranked choice voting will be applicable in special elections and primary elections for the New York City offices of Council Members, Borough President, Comptroller, Public Advocate, and Mayor. The system is being challenged in court, but if it stands, it will affect the Mayoral race.
