Owls was a clear favorite for Kenyon’s new moniker from the moment voting closed, receiving the most first-choice votes on 6,914 ballots. The selection was conducted through a ranked-choice, instant run-off vote, which requires a 51% majority to declare a winner. 

  • Owls: 2550 (37%)
  • Kenyon: 1920 (28%)
  • Rooks: 1462 (21%)
  • Oaks: 581 (8%)
  • Thrill: 401 (6%)

The vote proceeded to an instant run-off. With the fewest first-choice votes (and the most last-choice votes), Thrill was eliminated and its votes were redistributed. In the first run-off round, Oaks trailed with a total of 9% of first-choice votes, making it the next to be eliminated. Its votes were redistributed for a second run-off round, in which Rooks was eliminated. 

From the beginning, votes for Kenyon were split, with almost as many voters ranking it first and second as those ranking it fourth and fifth. This polarity was evident in the final run-off round, when Owls earned 62% of first-choice votes and Kenyon earned 38%, confirming Owls as the winner. 

See the initial ballot counts below.

Owls

Rank Vote count Percent of vote
1 2550 36.88
2 1943 28.1
3 1250 18.08
4 791 11.44
5 380 5.5

Kenyon

Rank Vote count Percent of vote
1 1920 27.77
2 918 13.28
3 975 14.1
4 1472 21.29
5 1629 23.56

Rooks

Rank Vote count Percent of vote
1 1462 21.15
2 1648 28.1
3 1591 23.01
4 1375 19.89
5 838 12.12

Oaks

Rank Vote count Percent of vote
1 581 8.4
2 1775 25.67
3 2321 33.57
4 1608 23.26
5 629 9.1

Thrill

Rank Vote count Percent of vote
1 401 5.8
2 630 9.11
3 777 11.24
4 1668 24.12
5 3438 49.73

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