How results are tallied

Per question type, including IRV rounds and how ties are handled.

Results are calculated automatically the moment an election closes, using the counting rule for each question's type.

Plurality / pick-N

The option (or options, for a multi-seat question) with the most votes wins. If a question is uncontested — the number of candidates doesn't exceed the number of seats — every candidate simply wins a seat.

Approval

Every approval is counted; the option(s) with the most approvals win.

Ranked choice (IRV)

Counting proceeds in rounds. If no option has a majority of first-choice votes, the option with the fewest votes is eliminated, and each of its ballots moves to the voter's next-ranked choice. This repeats until one option has a majority. Published results show every round, including how many ballots became exhausted (ran out of ranked choices before a majority was reached) along the way. If every ballot becomes exhausted without a majority, the question shows no winner rather than forcing one.

Motion (yes / no / abstain)

A motion passes on a simple majority of yes plus no votes; abstentions are recorded but excluded from that calculation.

Ties

If a question ends in a tie — for plurality, approval, or a tied IRV round — results state it plainly: "Tie between [options] — resolve per your bylaws." Fast Elections never auto-resolves a tie (for example, by coin flip or timestamp); it's reported as-is for your organization to settle according to its own bylaws.

Related