Split Vote

A **Split Vote** is a strategy employed in *Survivor* by alliances at Tribal Council, in an attempt to avoid one of their own being voted out by the use of a Hidden Immunity Idol. The strategy involves the alliance(s) casting an equal or near-equal number of votes on two different members of an opposing alliance or individual targets, theoretically ensuring that one of them is voted out regardless of whom the idol is played on. In order for the split vote to work, the alliance must control two-thirds of the votes at Tribal Council, or correctly play a Hidden Immunity Idol such that they will gain said majority.

The split vote was originally devised by Simon Vrench in the *All-Stars* episode *Where's That Idol?*, but the Maku Maku tribe opted to vote Simon out rather than attempt a risky move that could have eliminated a strong physical competitor. The strategy was not used until the following season, *Mexico*, where the Nohoch Mul tribe split a vote between Ian Klain and Kenny North, to eliminate Kenny.

## List of Split Vote Attempts

### Successful Split Votes

This list compiles successful split votes.

For a split vote to qualify as successful, one of the two targets must be voted out (after a revote if necessary) regardless of which target plays the idol. It is not required that every member of the splitting alliance be aware of the identity of the primary target.

**^1** The original intent was for the entire alliance to split the vote between Jacob and Parker 5-2. However, Cameron Pratt, Kara Willson and Maya Gregory, members of the alliance who were both assigned to vote against Jacob, voted against Parker instead, changing the outcome of the vote.

**^2** The original intent was for the entire bloc to split the vote between Chris and Ivan 4-4. However, Alexandra Laos and Vickie Weo, members of the alliance who were assigned to vote against Ivan and Chris, respectively, voted against Alexis instead, making the split 4-2-2.

### Failed Split Votes

This list includes Tribal Councils where the split voting alliance(s) actually attempted the split, but failed due to some members of the alliance reneging, if all members of the opposing alliance are immune (therefore losing one of their own or someone not from the target alliance) and/or splits that didn't ensure that one of the targets would be eliminated if an idol was used on one of them. This does not include proposed splits the tribe as a whole did not intend to follow through with.

## Throwaway Votes

Another voting strategy related to the split vote is the throwaway vote. Even before the threat of Hidden Immunity Idols were put in the game, some castaways cast a throwaway vote (usually against their allies if they are in the minority) in order to divert votes against themselves to someone that could likely also get votes. It could also be used as a strategy on seasons with the Past Votes tiebreaker, in order to add votes to a particular castaway when the main target already had enough votes against them, that could be used for future Tribal Councils.

Some throwaway votes, however, are used to prevent the effect of Hidden Immunity Idols, and are usually done impromptu when they vote without a clear plan before doing it.

## Trivia

Battle of the Sexes · Blood vs. Water · Brawn vs. Brains vs. Beauty · Old vs. Young · Returning Players · Schoolyard Pick

**Tribal Council-Related**
Double Elimination · Double Tribal Council · Extra Vote · Hidden Immunity Idol · Idol Nullifier · Joint Tribal Council · Juror Removal · Safety Without Power · Vote Blocker · Vote Steal

**Miscellaneous**
Advantage Menu · Buried Treasure · Day Zero · Exile Island · Fake Merge · Fire Token · First Impressions · Haves vs. Have Nots · Kidnapping · Legacy Advantage · Mutiny · One World · Reward Steal · Summit · The Outcasts · Tribe Leader · Tribe Raid · Tribe Switch