järjestushääletust

Järjestushääletust, also known as preferential voting or ranked-choice voting, is an electoral system where voters rank candidates in order of preference. Instead of choosing just one candidate, voters number candidates on the ballot, indicating their first choice, second choice, and so on.

The tabulation process typically involves eliminating the candidate with the fewest first-preference votes. The votes cast for that eliminated candidate are then redistributed to their next preferred choice, as indicated on those ballots. This process continues in rounds until one candidate secures a majority of the remaining votes.

Järjestushääletust aims to elect candidates with broader support, reducing the likelihood of "spoiler" candidates or elections being decided by a plurality rather than a majority. It can encourage more civil campaigning as candidates may seek second or third preferences from voters who initially support other candidates. The system is used in various countries and for different types of elections, including parliamentary, local, and some organizational elections. Its implementation varies, with specific rules for ballot counting and majority thresholds differing depending on the jurisdiction.