Oakland Special Elections: Understanding Ranked Choice Voting

The City of Oakland Special Election is around the corner and AARP California is here to connect you to resources about when, where, and how to vote.

California has introduced ranked choice voting in several cities, offering voters a new way to select their preferred candidates. That’s why it’s important to understand the specifics before casting your vote.

What is Ranked Choice Voting?
Ranked choice voting allows voters to list their candidates in order of preference when marking their ballots: first choice, second choice, third choice and so on.

How Are Votes Counted?
In its most common form, a candidate with a majority of first-choice votes is declared the winner but if no one receives a majority, the process is repeated until a candidate receives the majority of first-choice votes.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to rank all candidates, but you must select your top choice, and you can’t give two candidates the same ranking.

How It Works
Ethel, Charlie, Alma, Jamie and Dani are running for office. After the polls close, Ethel receives a majority of first-choice votes and is declared the winner.

But what if no one receives a majority of votes? Then, an elimination process begins, and the candidate with the fewest votes is removed. If your top choice is eliminated, your votes are transferred to your next choice candidate.

This process is repeated until one candidate has a majority and wins.

Who is on the Oakland Special Election Ballot?

• City of Oakland Mayor
• District 2 Councilmember

Important Dates for Oakland Special Election

• March 17 – First Day of Mailing Vote by Mail Ballots
• March 31 – Last Day to Register to Vote for City of Oakland Special Election
• April 15 – Election Day

Resources
For more information visit, Alameda County Registrar of Voters website.


AARP has a proud history of non-partisan voter engagement. We do not endorse candidates or make campaign contributions. AARP California is committed to informing our members and the public on when, where and how to vote.