chainvoting

Chainvoting is a voting strategy used in ranked-choice voting systems, where voters rank candidates in order of preference. In a chainvote, a voter ranks candidates in a specific order to support a particular candidate while minimizing the chances of another candidate winning. This strategy is often used to express disapproval of a candidate or to support a candidate who is not the voter's first choice.

The term "chainvote" comes from the way the votes are ranked, forming a "chain" of support for a particular candidate. For example, if a voter wants to support Candidate A but is concerned that Candidate B might win, they might rank their votes as follows: Candidate A, Candidate B, Candidate C, and so on. This way, if Candidate B wins, the voter's vote for Candidate A will still be counted, as it is their second choice.

Chainvoting can be an effective way to express voter preferences in ranked-choice voting systems, but it can also be controversial. Critics argue that chainvoting can lead to strategic voting, where voters prioritize their votes based on tactical considerations rather than their genuine preferences. Proponents of chainvoting argue that it allows voters to express their preferences more accurately and can help to ensure that the candidate who receives the most votes is the one who is most preferred by the electorate.

Overall, chainvoting is a complex and controversial voting strategy that can have significant implications for the outcome of ranked-choice elections. Its use and impact continue to be topics of debate among voting experts and political scientists.