# VoteVariation

> [!NOTE]
> **Note:** This enumeration is the same for the pre-election data and election results feed types. It isn't used with officeholder feeds.

The following table shows the enumerations for contest algorithms or rules in
the [`Contest`](https://developers.google.com/civics-data/reference/contest) entity:

| Value | Description |
|---|---|
| `1-of-m` | Each voter can select up to one option. |
| `approval` | Approval voting, where each voter can select as many options as desired. |
| `borda` | Borda count, where each voter can rank the options, and the rankings are assigned point values. |
| `cumulative` | Cumulative voting, where each voter can distribute their vote to up to *N* options. |
| `majority` | A *1-of-m* method where the winner needs more than 50% of the vote to be elected. |
| `n-of-m` | A method where each voter can select up to *N* options. |
| `plurality` | A *1-of-m* method where the option with the most votes is elected, regardless of whether the option has more than 50% of the vote. |
| `proportional` | A proportional representation method, which is any system that elects winners in proportion to the total vote. For the single transferable vote (STV) method, use `rcv` instead. |
| `range` | Range voting, where each voter can select a score for each option. |
| `rcv` | Ranked choice voting (RCV), where each voter can rank the options, and the ballots are counted in rounds. Also known as instant-runoff voting (IRV) and the single transferable vote (STV). |
| `super-majority` | A *1-of-m* method where the winner needs more than some predetermined fraction of the vote to be elected, and where the fraction is more than 50%. For example, the winner might need three-fifths or two-thirds of the vote. |
| `other` | The vote variation is a type that isn't included in this enumeration. If used, provide the item's custom type in an `OtherType` element. |