Cumulative Vote

With cumulative voting, members cast multiple votes for one or more options. For example, if you give members five votes to spread out between three candidates, they can concentrate their voting power on the options that matter most to them.

Cumulative votes help concentrate voting power and promote inclusivity. They’re proportional to the number of votes each person holds, so those with more available votes have more sway over election outcomes. However, these votes can be confusing for members to understand, which is why it’s crucial to explain what cumulative votes are and how the process works long before members cast their ballots.

« Back to SBS Glossary