1. First-past-the-post, (FPTP) also known as plurality or simple majority voting. The candidate with the most votes wins.
  2. Instant runoff voting (IRV). See STV below.
  3. Single Transferable Vote (STV), preferential, Ranked Choice Voting, proportional representation. STV is a form of preferential voting that produces proportional representation in multi-seat elections. Preferences are transferred and distributed automatically to produce winners. Instant runoff is the special case of STV with one winner. Use optional or compulsory ranking of a set number of candidates. Learn more about STV.
  4. Range voting – Voters rate each candidate or option separately on a scale.
  5. Cumulative voting – Each voter has a quota of votes which can be concentrated on one candidate or split across several candidates. This method of voting is used widely in corporate governance.
  6. Weighted voting and split voting – Shareholder AGM voting is common use for weighted votes. The same voter can have different weights in different ballots enabling elections in many companies with overlapping shareholders. Split voting can be offered with weighted voting. This enables selected voters to act as proxy for other voters.
  7. Candidate grouping and winner constraints – Candidates can also be grouped into categories and a minimum number of winners allocated to each category.
  8. D’Hondt method – This method is a highest averages method for allocating positions, and is thus a type of party-list proportional representation.