Split Vote

A  is a strategy employed in Survivor by larger alliances 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 casting an equal or near-equal number of votes on two different members of the opposing alliance, theoretically ensuring that one of them is voted out regardless of whom the idol is played on. In order for the split to work, the alliance must have a two-thirds majority.

The split vote was originally devised by Cao Boi Bui in the episode Plan Voodoo (which was the original name of the Split Vote strategy), but the Aitutaki tribe opted to vote Cao Boi out rather than attempt a risky move that could have eliminated a strong physical competitor. The strategy was not used until the following season,, where Ravu split a vote between Sylvia Kwan and Anthony Robinson, to eliminate Sylvia.

Successful Split Votes
This list compiles successful split votes in which one member of the opposing alliance was eliminated due to an alliance's (or alliances') split vote plan.

The original intent was for the entire alliance to vote for Corinne, as she was the only vulnerable member of the minority Onion Alliance. However, Crystal Cox and Ken Hoang split their votes between Corinne and Matty to ensure that Matty would be voted out if Corinne played an idol.

Failed Split Votes
This list includes Tribal Councils where the majority alliance actually attempted the split, but failed due to some members of the alliance reneging and/or if all members of the opposing alliance are immune, therefore losing one of their own (or someone not from the target alliance). This does not include proposed splits the tribe as a whole did not intend to follow through with.

The original intent of the split vote was for Tyson to vote against Russell to split the votes 3-3 between Russell and Parvati. However, Tyson voted for Parvati instead, ironically resulting in his own elimination.

Eddie received four votes that did not count, while Malcolm received two votes that did not count.

The original intent of the split vote was for Gervase and Tyson to vote against Laura M. and for Monica to vote against Ciera to split the votes between the two. However, Gervase, Tyson and Monica sided with the Singles Alliance to vote against Aras instead.

Throwaway Votes
Another type of 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. Some throwaway votes, however are also to prevent the effect of Hidden Immunity Idols, and are usually done impromptu when they vote without a clear plan before it (an example are the throwaway votes of Jim Rice against John Cochran during ' in and possibly Jonathan Penner against Abi-Maria Gomes during ' in ). Malcolm Freberg also threw his vote away to alliance mate Reynold Toepfer in Survivor: Caramoan, and then begged Reynold for his idol (neither of them needed the idol).

Trivia

 * Eddie Fox has the record for the most number of times being a target of split votes with four.
 * Eddie also holds the record for the most votes received at split votes, with 11 votes received as part of split votes.
 * Jason Siska and Andrea Boehlke are the first male and female castaway, respectively, to be blindsided by a split vote while holding a Hidden Immunity Idol.
 * Survivor: Philippines is the only season in which multiple alliances teamed up to split the votes.
 * However, it could be argued that the elimination of Brendan Synnott in was the result of cooperation between the Timbira Alliance and the Jalapao Three, although it was more of two of the three members of the Jalapao Three cooperating to the Timbira Alliance as independent affiliates rather than a whole alliance co-aligning with each other, which was the case in Philippines.
 * Stealth R Us in Survivor: Caramoan holds the record for the most split votes done in one season, with five (four of which were successful).