Gaming the Vote? The Strategy Behind Your Ballot's Top Five

Dear New Yorkers,

Lately, readers have been asking us: Is there a way to “game” the ranked-choice voting system? With such a crowded race, are there any tricks to boosting your favorite candidate? What’s the strategy for who goes in spots two through five?

We are here to say there’s no magic to it.

Our colleague Rachel Kahn spent time talking to voting experts who said the only strategy really is the most straightforward one: rank your favorite candidate highest, rank only the folks you could live with in office, leave off anyone you really dislike — and try not to leave any ballot spot blank.

“New Yorkers are always looking for some special angle, and the thing about ranked choice voting is it’s designed to allow you to vote your values. This one just doesn’t have an angle,” voting advocate Susan Lerner told her.

Voters don’t have to scheme when it comes to ranked choice. But campaigns definitely do. Read more here about ranked choice voting strategy.


https://www.thecity.nyc/2025/05/02/vote-strategy-ranked-choice-election-ballot-newsletter/