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Chapter 37 — ELECTIONS

§ 37.20 RANKED CHOICE VOTING.

Eureka Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Eureka

  • (A) Definitions. For purposes of this subchapter, the following words, terms and phrases have these definitions:

CHOICE. An indication on a ballot of a voter's assigned ranking of candidates (i.e., first choice, second choice, third choice, etc.) for any single office, according to the voter's preference.

CONTINUING BALLOT. A ballot that counts towards a continuing candidate.

CONTINUING CANDIDATE. A candidate that has not been eliminated. In the first round of counting, this means all candidates including write-ins.

EXHAUSTED BALLOT. A ballot whose continuing candidates have all been eliminated shall be declared "exhausted" and shall not count towards any candidate in that round or in subsequent rounds.

FINAL ROUND. The round in which there are only two continuing candidates.

MAJORITY OF VOTES. Fifty percent of the votes plus one.

NEXT RANKED. The highest ranked choice for a continuing candidate.

OVERVOTING. An overvote occurs when an elector has ranked more than one candidate for the same ranking. For example, if an elector selects more than one candidate to be their first (or second, or third, etc.) choice.

RANKED CHOICE VOTING. An election system in which voters rank the candidates for office in order of preference, and the ballots are counted in rounds that simulate a series of runoffs until the final round, whereupon the one of those two candidates with the majority of votes is determined to be the winner. RANKED CHOICE VOTING is also known as "instant runoff voting."

ROUND OF COUNTING or ROUND . A step in the counting process during which votes for all continuing candidates are tabulated for the purpose of determining which candidate has achieved a majority of the votes cast for a particular office, and, if no candidate has achieved a majority, which candidate or candidates must be eliminated.

SKIPPED RANKING. Occurs when an elector leaves a ranking blank and then ranks a candidate in a subsequent ranking. For

example, if an elector selects a first-choice candidate and a third-choice candidate, but does not select a second-choice candidate. UNDERVOTING. A ballot that has not candidates indicated at any ranking shall be declared an "undervote" and shall not count towards any candidate in that round or in subsequent rounds.

VOTE. A ballot choice that is counted toward the election of a candidate. During each round of counting, each continuing ballot contains one vote. All first choices are votes and lower ranked choices are potential runoff votes that may, in accordance with the requirements of this chapter, become votes that are subsequently credited for a continuing candidate. (Ord. 928-C.S., passed 12-7-21; Am. Ord. 955-C.S., passed 7-16-24)

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▸ Contents — Eureka Zoning Code
Eureka Zoning Code
  1. Article I — NAME AND SEAL; FORM OF GOVERNMENT; BOUNDARIES; MUN…
  2. Article II — ELECTIONS
  3. Article III — CITY COUNCIL
  4. Article IV — MAYOR
  5. Article V — ORDINANCES
  6. Article VI — ADMINISTRATION
  7. Article VII — FISCAL ADMINISTRATION
  8. Article VIII — OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
  9. Article IX — FRANCHISES
  10. Article X — INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM AND RECALL
  11. Article XI — MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
  12. Chapter 10 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  13. Chapter 30 — CITY COUNCIL
  14. Chapter 31 — CITY OFFICIALS
  15. Chapter 32 — CITY DEPARTMENTS
  16. Chapter 33 — BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
  17. Chapter 34 — PERSONNEL POLICIES
  18. Chapter 35 — FINANCE, REVENUE AND TAXATION
  19. Chapter 36 — HEALTH FACILITY REVENUE BONDS
  20. ▸ Chapter 37 — ELECTIONS
    Overview
    1. § 37.01 PURPOSE.
    2. § 37.02 COUNCIL WARDS.
    3. § 37.20 RANKED CHOICE VOTING.
    4. § 37.21 GENERAL PROVISIONS.
    5. § 37.22 RANKED CHOICE VOTING BALLOT.
    6. § 37.23 TABULATION.
    7. § 37.50 RESERVED.
    8. § 37.51 RESERVED.
    9. § 37.52 LIMITATIONS ON CONTRIBUTIONS BY PERSONS TO CANDIDATES.
    10. § 37.53 LIMITATIONS ON CONTRIBUTIONS BY PERSONS TO INDEPENDENT…
  21. Chapter 38 — CIVIL EMERGENCIES
  22. Chapter 39 — CITY POLICY
  23. Chapter 40 — TRANSFERS OF CITY-OWNED REAL PROPERTY
  24. Chapter 50 — SEWERS
  25. Chapter 51 — SOLID WASTE
  26. Chapter 52 — UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICTS
  27. Chapter 53 — WATER
  28. Chapter 54 — STORM WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND DISCHARGE CONT…
  29. Chapter 55 — ENERGY
  30. Chapter 56 — STREETS
  31. Chapter 70 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  32. Chapter 71 — TRAFFIC RULES
  33. Chapter 72 — STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING
  34. Chapter 73 — BICYCLES
  35. Chapter 75 — MOBILE VENDORS OPERATING UPON A STREET
  36. Chapter 90 — ABANDONED VEHICLES
  37. Chapter 91 — ANIMALS
  38. Chapter 92 — FIRE PREVENTION
  39. Chapter 93 — PARKS AND RECREATION
  40. Chapter 94 — HEALTH AND SANITATION
  41. Chapter 95 — MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
  42. Chapter 96 — PARADES AND ASSEMBLIES
  43. Chapter 97 — SMOKING
  44. Chapter 98 — STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
  45. Chapter 99 — TRAINS AND RAILROADS
  46. Chapter 100 — HARBOR REGULATIONS
  47. Chapter 101 — FILMING
  48. Chapter 102 — BEEKEEPING
  49. Chapter 103 — PRIVATE SECURITY AND FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
  50. Chapter 104 — MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE
  51. Chapter 110 — BUSINESS LICENSES
  52. Chapter 112 — AMBULANCES
  53. Chapter 113 — AMUSEMENTS
  54. Chapter 114 — CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEMS
  55. Chapter 115 — FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS AND OUTDOOR DINING AREAS
  56. Chapter 117 — MASSAGE PARLORS
  57. Chapter 118 — SOLICITORS, CANVASSERS, AND SIDEWALK VENDORS
  58. Chapter 119 — SECOND-HAND DEALERS
  59. Chapter 120 — TAXICABS AND LIMOUSINES
  60. Chapter 121 — OTHER VEHICLES FOR HIRE
  61. Chapter 122 — FOREIGN-TRADE ZONE
  62. Chapter 130 — OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC PEACE AND SAFETY
  63. Chapter 131 — PROPERTY OFFENSES
  64. Chapter 132 — DRUG OFFENSES
  65. Chapter 133 — WEAPONS OFFENSES
  66. Chapter 134 — ABATEMENT OF CHRONIC NUISANCE PROPERTIES
  67. Chapter 150 — BUILDING REGULATIONS
  68. Chapter 151 — AIRPORT ZONING
  69. Chapter 152 — PLANNING AND ZONING ADMINISTRATION
  70. Chapter 153 — FLOOD HAZARD AREA REGULATIONS
  71. Chapter 154 — SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS
  72. Chapter 155 — ZONING REGULATIONS
  73. Chapter 155 — ZONING REGULATIONS (old)
  74. Chapter 156 — COASTAL ZONING REGULATIONS
  75. Chapter 157 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION
  76. Chapter 158 — CANNABIS
  77. Chapter 159 — WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES

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