October 17, 2023
Bullet Voting Defined (The why’s of this tactic):
Technical Jargon
Bullet voting, also known as single-shot voting is a voting tactic, usually in multiple-winner elections, where a voter is entitled to vote for more than one candidate, but instead votes for only one candidate.
A voter might do this because it is easier than evaluating all the candidates or as a form of tactical voting. Voters can use this tactic to maximize the chance that their favorite candidate will be elected while increasing the risk that other favored candidates will lose. A group of voters using this tactic consistently has a better chance of one favorite candidate being elected.
The real-life scenario
Why would anyone bullet vote? It really comes down to how you think the race is going. If you have two favorites and believe they are going to easily win the two seats, then you should simply vote for both without reservation.
But what if some other candidate is running away with it? If you believe that your favorite candidate, your first choice, is not going to win the most votes but stands a good chance of grabbing second place (and the second seat), then yes, you should bullet vote for them. Don't risk elevating a potential rival.
Why? Well let's say we have three candidates running for two seats: Tom Smith, Bill Jones and Mary Martin. It doesn't matter whether we're talking about the School Board election or the City Council election - they both operate the same way. You get to vote for two of the candidates to fill two seats.
Let's say you support Mary and cast a vote for her. You also kind of like Bill, so you vote for him as well. Your neighbor doesn't think much of Mary, so he votes for Tom and Bill - emphatically voting for anyone other than Mary. The question is, did you weaken your support for Mary by voting for Bill as well? And your neighbor, did he dilute his support in the same way?
Well, let's see: Between the two of you, the election stands at one vote for Mary, one vote for Tom, and two votes for Bill, who was no one's first choice. Great for Bill; not so good for your favorite, Mary.
Note that this logic also applies to Ranked Choice Voting. Vote for only one candidate unless you truly believe that you would be happy if your 2nd choice candidate wins. Your 2nd choice vote could very well ensure that your 2nd choice candidate will ultimately win over your 1st choice candidate.