A Guide to the Plurality Voting Method

Whatever your organization’s goals, its members need a voting system that advances democracy and establishes voter representation. Plurality voting remains one of the most widely used voting systems in the United States today, and it might be a good fit for your members.

What Is Plurality Voting?

Plurality voting is one of the oldest voting methods known to modern civilization. In a plurality voting system, the candidate or policy with the most votes wins. The difference between candidates could be as marginal as 5%. However, as long as there is a candidate with more votes, the winner is clear. 

Types of Plurality Voting

Plurality voting has several variations you can employ in your organization, depending on what you want to achieve. Here are the two most widely used methods.

Single-Member Plurality Systems

The single-member plurality system is the most common and simplest form of the plurality voting system. Here, voters select their preferred candidate from a given pool, and the candidate with the most votes wins. Single-member plurality voting is often used where there is only one position to fill, meaning there can only be a single winner. 

Multi-Member Plurality Systems

Organizations can use the multi-member plurality system when there is more than one seat to fill. This electoral process allows voters to select multiple candidates or members in one election.

The multi-member plurality voting system has three variations. With the single-non-transferable vote (SNTV) approach, members can only cast one vote. For example, say your organization wanted to elect three representatives from a pool of six candidates. Each member would cast one vote, and the three candidates with the most votes would win.

Another type is limited voting, in which voters can cast more than one vote, but fewer than the total positions available. The third type is block voting, which allows members to vote according to the number of vacancies.

The Advantages of Plurality Voting

Several benefits come with adopting the plurality voting system, including:

• Ease of use: Since plurality voting is one of the most popular systems in the U.S., most members of your organization will be familiar with how it works.
• Cost-effectiveness: With this simple approach, you won’t need to spend time and money educating members on how to cast their votes.
• Fast outcomes: Plurality elections are straightforward compared to alternatives like the ranked-choice voting system, which can require runoff elections depending on the results. 

Disadvantages of Plurality Voting

The plurality voting method also has a few downsides to consider: 

• Low voter approval: Selecting a winner based on plurality can result in low voter buy-in, especially in cases of marginal differences.
• Low member representation: The winning candidate may not adequately represent most voters, especially minority groups. 

How Plurality Voting Works

The plurality voting system follows a simple three-step process — the voting event, calculation, and winner announcement.

Depending on the type of plurality system, voters will choose from the available pool of candidates indicated on the ballot.

Then, it’s up to the voting administrators to calculate the results. In-person, on-site votes using physical ballots will require manual algorithmic calculation. If you’re hosting an online voting session, the software will instantly record the results. 

It’s totally up to your team how you will announce the results. You could have a same-day announcement, especially if you use an efficient online voting tool with instant results. If you employed an on-site method and had many voters, it could take some days to tally the votes before the announcement.

Plurality Voting vs. Majority Voting

The grounds for victory are the biggest distinction when comparing the plurality and majority voting systems. In a plurality system, the candidate with the most votes wins. It’s as simple as that.

In a majority system, the candidate with the majority of votes wins. That means the winner must have over 50% of the overall vote. A runoff is required if no candidates receive over 50% of the votes.

Let’s say three candidates are running for the homeowners association president position. One candidate earns 45% of the votes, another has 35%, and the third receives 20%. None of the candidates will be declared a winner because none of them received over 50%. This lack of majority representation calls for a runoff election, eliminating the third candidate and leaving the top two as the sole candidates. The likelihood of one of them receiving over 50% of the votes will increase.

Best Practices for Plurality Voting

Although plurality voting carries several benefits, it has its downsides. Manage them with these best practices:

• Build a strong candidate pool: To improve voter buy-in, start by making it easy for qualified individuals to run. Our digital candidate application software streamlines the nomination process, helping attract a wider and more diverse pool of candidates. A strong candidate pool can reduce marginal differences and increase the likelihood that the winning candidate truly represents the majority.
• Keep it impartial: Strong voting rules can help you establish fairness and make sure all members feel represented and heard.
• Ensure accuracy: Accuracy is the best way to maintain voter satisfaction. You can achieve it with our fully managed election services that accommodate up to 5,000 voters. While you focus on running your organization, we’ll handle everything from ballot design to accurate election analytics.

Collect Votes With Confidence

At Survey & Ballot Systems (SBS), our services are designed to support the way you vote. When you partner with us, we will be an extension of your company, helping you ensure a successful election every time.

Contact us today to talk about your organization’s needs.