Types of Voting Systems: How They Work and Impact Elections

Anyone who has voted in person knows the drill: you get in line on election day, get your ballot, and enter a voting booth to punch a card, tap a screen, or otherwise indicate your candidate(s) of choice. However, a combination of forces — including a need to make voting easier, fairer, and less confusing — has led election officials in some locations to explore different types of voting systems.  

It’s not enough to just cast a ballot. The way we vote shapes the very foundation of democracy. Different types of voting systems can significantly influence election outcomes, affecting who gets elected and how representative the government is of the people. 

In the United States, several voting systems are used across local, state, and federal elections, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Understanding how these voting systems work and how they impact elections can shed light on how our democratic process functions.

How Many Types of Voting Systems Are There?

There are many types of voting systems in the world, but only a handful are employed in the United States. Each voting system follows its own rules for how votes are counted and how winners are determined. The most widely used voting system in the U.S. is first-past-the-post (FPTP), also known as the “winner-takes-all" system, but alternatives like ranked choice voting (RCV), approval voting, and proportional representation have gained traction in certain areas. 

Globally, many other voting systems exist, but in the United States, these systems dominate the electoral landscape.

4 Common Voting Systems in the United States

Like any system or policy, there are benefits and drawbacks among the different types of voting systems. Although the United States uses a variety of voting systems, the following are the most common and influential:

#1: First-Past-the-Post Elections

Of all the types of voting systems in U.S. elections, the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system is the most widely used. It’s the standard in federal and state-level elections, and it’s fairly simple to use: 

• Voters choose one candidate for each office on the ballot.

• The votes are tallied.

• The candidate with the most votes wins even if they don't secure an absolute majority. 

While FPTP is simple to understand, it has been criticized for creating sometimes undemocratic outcomes that allow candidates to win without majority support. This leaves large portions of the electorate feeling underrepresented, with the side-effect of voter apathy and low voter turnout in elections. 

#2: Ranked Choice Voting

Ranked choice voting (RCV), also known as instant runoff voting, allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate wins an absolute majority in the first round of counting, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated from the race. Their votes are then redistributed based on voters' second choices. The process continues until one candidate has an absolute majority. 

RCV is being used for elections in Alaska and Maine, and for some statewide elections in Hawaii. While ranked choice voting has been authorized in Virginia, it is not being used there yet. Fourteen U.S. cities use RCV to some extent, but 10 states have laws forbidding this type of election at any level (five states in 2024 alone).

These states have banned the use of ranked choice voting:

• Alabama

• Florida

• Idaho

• Kentucky

• Louisiana

• Mississippi

• Montana

• Oklahoma

• South Dakota

• Tennessee

RCV has been praised for promoting more inclusive elections and reducing negative campaigning because candidates aim to appeal to broader coalitions. Although this system has detractors who label it as too complicated or expensive, proponents say that it reduces wasted votes and eliminates the need for multiple elections. 

#3: Approval Voting

Approval voting allows voters to vote for as many candidates as they approve of, rather than being limited to choosing just one candidate. The candidate with the most votes wins. Approval voting can prevent vote-splitting among similar candidates and allows voters to express support for multiple options. 

This voting system isn't used to conduct state or federal elections in the United States, but it is being deployed with some success in Fargo, North Dakota, and St. Louis, Missouri. While not as widely used as FPTP or RCV, some cities and organizations have adopted this system for its potential to encourage consensus candidates. 

#4: Proportional Representation

Unlike winner-take-all systems like first-past-the-post, proportional representation (PR) allocates legislative seats based on the percentage of votes each party receives. This system is rarely used in U.S. elections but is the most common voting system in other democracies. 

Proportional representation is often viewed as a more accurate reflection of voter preferences because it ensures that even smaller parties get representation if they receive a significant share of the vote. Advocates argue that PR leads to more diverse and representative governance, and it can even reduce the impact of gerrymandering. Critics argue that it can increase gridlock and lead to electoral chaos.

How Voting Systems Impact Democracy and Representation

The type of voting system used in an election can have a profound effect on the outcome, particularly in terms of voter representation and the diversity of elected officials. For example, first-past-the-post elections can result in "plurality" winners — candidates who win with less than 50% of the vote — often leading to underrepresentation for significant portions of the electorate. 

We’ve witnessed this outcome in multiple presidential elections where the ultimate winner exceeds the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win, but loses the popular vote. It’s also why some argue that alternative systems like ranked choice voting or proportional representation would better reflect the will of the people.

Systems like RCV can increase voter satisfaction by eliminating the need for strategic voting — voting for a less-preferred candidate simply to block a candidate you dislike from winning. Approval voting and proportional representation can lead to the election of more consensus candidates, fostering collaboration rather than polarization.

Different voting systems offer distinct trade-offs between simplicity, voter expression, and fairness. The debate over which types of voting systems in the U.S. are best continues, but what is clear is that the way we cast our votes shapes how democratic elections are and how much power voters truly have in choosing their leaders. 

Final Thoughts

Voting systems are at the heart of how democracy functions. From first-past-the-post to ranked choice voting and beyond, the types of voting systems in the United States impact not just who wins elections, but how voters feel about the process itself. By exploring alternatives to the traditional systems in place, there is potential for the U.S. electoral process to become more representative, inclusive, and effective.