Ranked vote template
When a group picks between several options, “choose one” hides second preferences — and second preferences are often where the agreement is. In a ranked vote everyone orders the options, and the result shows which option the group as a whole places highest.
The poll beside this text is live. Fill it in and submit it — it validates exactly as it would for a real respondent, and saves nothing.
Drag, tap or key to rank
Voters reorder by dragging, by the up and down buttons on each item, or with the arrow keys — so the vote works on a phone and without a mouse.
Average rank and first-place votes
For each option the results show the average position voters gave it and how many ranked it first. Two numbers, because an option can win on first places and lose on average, and you should see both.
Results held back until the vote closes
With “After voting closes”, the public results page shows the closing time instead of the standings until the deadline passes — then it opens to everyone with the link.
No card required.
Ranked Vote
Live previewHow to use this template
5 steps in the editor. Nothing here needs a paid plan.
- Press “Use this template” and replace the options with the real candidates — five or six at most.
- Keep the ranking question required so a submitted vote always contains an order.
- Decide on the name question: keep it for a team decision where votes are open, delete it for a secret vote.
- Under Settings → Voting & results choose “After voting closes” for results and set a closing date, so the order is not visible while people are still voting.
- When voting closes, read the ranking card: options are listed best-first by average rank, with the number of first-place votes beside each.
Questions in this poll
2 questions, using 2 of the 24 question types available.
| Question | Question type | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Your name | Short text | Optional |
| Rank the options from most to least preferred | Ranking | Yes |
What goes wrong with this poll
Specific to this template, not general advice about polls.
Too many options
People have real opinions about their top three. Positions five to nine are filled in at random and add noise to every average.
Assuming it is a runoff count
Average rank and instant-runoff can produce different winners from the same ballots. Say which method you are using before the vote, not after.
Publishing live standings
In a ranked vote, visible standings invite tactical ordering — burying the main rival last. Hold results until the vote closes.
Leaving the default order unexamined
An untouched ranking is not stored as a vote; a voter who agrees with the order shown must confirm it with “Keep this order”. Tell voters, or they may think a glance was enough.
Questions about this poll
How is the winner decided in a ranked vote here?
By average rank: each option’s positions are averaged across all voters, and the lowest average is placed first. The count of first-place votes is shown alongside so you can see whether the two measures agree.
Is this instant-runoff voting?
No. Votense reports average rank and first-place counts; it does not eliminate options round by round and redistribute votes. For a formal election that requires instant-runoff counting, export the CSV — each ballot is a full ordered list — and count it with a dedicated tool.
Do voters have to rank every option?
Yes. The question presents all options in a list and the submitted answer is the whole list in the voter’s order. Keep the list short enough that ranking the bottom of it is still meaningful.
Can the vote be secret?
Remove the name question and the response holds only the ranking, the time and the browser type. Limit voting to one per browser or one per account to keep the count honest.