alternative vote: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Political, Technical
Quick answer
What does “alternative vote” mean?
An electoral system where voters rank candidates in order of preference.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An electoral system where voters rank candidates in order of preference.
A preferential voting method designed to produce a majority winner by redistributing votes from eliminated candidates until one candidate surpasses 50%. In broader contexts, can refer to any secondary or fallback option in a decision-making process.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'Alternative Vote' (AV) specifically refers to Instant-Runoff Voting (IRV) and was the subject of a 2011 national referendum. In the US, the term is less common; 'ranked-choice voting' (RCV) or 'instant-runoff voting' are the standard terms, though 'alternative vote' is understood in academic circles.
Connotations
UK: Often carries political baggage from the referendum campaign. US: A more neutral, technical term.
Frequency
Much more frequent in UK English due to its political history. In US English, 'ranked-choice voting' is far more common.
Grammar
How to Use “alternative vote” in a Sentence
The + [country/body] + adopted + the alternative vote.They + voted on + the alternative vote + in a referendum.Critics + argue + that the alternative vote + is confusing.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “alternative vote” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The committee will alternative-vote on the motion.
adjective
British English
- The AV referendum was held in 2011.
American English
- The ranked-choice system is an alternative-vote method.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could metaphorically describe a ranked decision-making process among stakeholders.
Academic
Common in political science, governance, and comparative politics texts.
Everyday
Low frequency. Appears in news during electoral reform discussions.
Technical
The precise term for a specific single-winner preferential electoral method.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “alternative vote”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “alternative vote”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “alternative vote”
- Using 'alternative vote' to mean any non-FPTP system (e.g., Proportional Representation).
- Saying 'an alternative vote' (indefinite article) when referring to the system as a whole.
- Confusing it with the 'Supplementary Vote' system, which is a different two-preference model.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Alternative Vote (AV) is used for single-winner elections (like a mayor or president). Proportional Representation (PR) is for multi-winner elections (like a parliament) and aims to match seat share to vote share.
It is used in elections for the Australian House of Representatives, some UK local mayors, and many private organisations. In the US, it is known as Ranked-Choice Voting and is used in state and city elections like those in Maine and Alaska.
The proposal to adopt AV for UK parliamentary elections was defeated, with 67.9% voting against it.
Its main advantage is that it ensures the winner has majority support (over 50% of votes in the final round), reducing the problem of 'vote splitting' between similar candidates.
An electoral system where voters rank candidates in order of preference.
Alternative vote is usually formal, political, technical in register.
Alternative vote: in British English it is pronounced /ɒlˈtɜːnətɪv vəʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɔːlˈtɜːrnətɪv voʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ALTER the candidate order if your first choice gets knocked out. That's your NATIVE way to VOTE.'
Conceptual Metaphor
VOTING IS A JOURNEY WITH BACKUP DESTINATIONS.
Practice
Quiz
Which term is most synonymous with 'alternative vote' in American political discourse?