Preferential Vote
To win, a candidate must receive a majority (more than 50%) of valid votes cast. First-choice votes are counted initially.
If no single candidate receives the necessary majority of first-choice votes, the candidate receiving the smallest number of first-choice votes is eliminated, and the second-choice votes of the eliminated candidate's ballots are redistributed among the remaining two candidates.
After the second-choice votes of the eliminated candidate’s ballots are redistributed and added to the first-choice votes of the remaining candidates, the candidate with the majority of the combined votes is the winner.
If the remaining two candidates are tied, the winner will be determined by the candidate with the higher number of first-choice votes, or if still tied, by lot as prescribed by SOA policies.
There is no benefit to a candidate if you vote for a single candidate as your first and second choice. In addition, withholding a second choice does not benefit your first-choice candidate.