preferential voting: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Political/Technical
Quick answer
What does “preferential voting” mean?
A voting system where voters rank candidates in order of preference, used to determine a winner with broader support.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A voting system where voters rank candidates in order of preference, used to determine a winner with broader support.
A broader category of electoral methods designed to ensure election outcomes reflect the majority or a consensus of voter preferences, rather than a simple plurality.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK and Commonwealth countries (e.g., Australia), 'preferential voting' commonly refers to the 'Alternative Vote' system used in single-winner elections. In the US, the term is less common and more generic; 'ranked-choice voting' (RCV) is the predominant term for similar systems.
Connotations
UK/Australian: A specific, established electoral mechanism. US: A more abstract, technical descriptor for a type of electoral reform.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK, Australian, Irish political discourse. Lower frequency in US political discourse, where 'ranked-choice voting' is standard.
Grammar
How to Use “preferential voting” in a Sentence
[The country/party] + adopted + preferential voting.The election + was conducted + using preferential voting.Critics + argue + that preferential voting + is + complex.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “preferential voting” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The constituency will preferential-vote for its MP next month.
American English
- The city ordinance allows voters to rank-choice vote in municipal elections.
adverb
British English
- The ballot was structured preferentially, requiring numbered rankings.
American English
- Voters cast their ballots preferentially, ordering candidates by choice.
adjective
British English
- The preferential voting system ensured the winner had majority support.
American English
- A ranked-choice voting initiative will appear on the ballot.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially used in shareholder voting contexts for board elections.
Academic
Common in political science, governance, and electoral studies texts.
Everyday
Limited to discussions about politics and elections, primarily in countries using such systems.
Technical
Precise term in political technology, electoral engineering, and constitutional law.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “preferential voting”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “preferential voting”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “preferential voting”
- Confusing it with proportional representation (a related but different concept).
- Using 'preferable voting' (incorrect adjective form).
- Assuming it always means 'Alternative Vote' without contextual clarity.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Preferential voting is a method for casting and counting votes (ranking candidates). Proportional representation (PR) is an overall goal of an electoral system (seats matching vote share). Some PR systems use preferential voting within them (e.g., Single Transferable Vote).
Your vote is transferred to your next highest-ranked candidate who is still in the contest. This process continues until a candidate achieves the required quota of votes.
It is used in national elections in Australia (House of Representatives and Senate), Ireland (Senate, Presidential), and locally in many countries including the UK (some mayoral elections) and the US (several cities and states for various offices).
Its main advantage is that it can help ensure the winning candidate has broader support and reduces the impact of 'vote-splitting' between similar candidates, potentially discouraging negative campaigning.
A voting system where voters rank candidates in order of preference, used to determine a winner with broader support.
Preferential voting is usually formal, political/technical in register.
Preferential voting: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpref.əˈren.ʃəl ˈvəʊ.tɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpref.əˈren.ʃəl ˈvoʊ.t̬ɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to be elected on preferences”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: PREference = you rank, FERENTIAL sounds like 'referential' → you refer to your 1st, 2nd, 3rd choices.
Conceptual Metaphor
VOTING IS A HIERARCHICAL ORDERING (like a ranked list).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a key feature of preferential voting?