INSTANT RUNOFF VOTING (IRV)
A Fairer Way to Conduct Single-Winner Elections
Most U.S. elections are held under plurality voting rules
in which the candidate with the most votes wins. If three or more
candidates run in the race, then the winner can have less than
a majority of the vote. But the question always arises: was that
winning candidate really preferred by most voters?
Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) is a sensible reform for elections
where one person wins. Examples include elections for governors,
mayors, legislatures using single-seat districts, and US president
(for allocation of Electoral College electors). Instant Runoff
Voting is better than plurality elections because:
* it ensures the election of the candidate preferred by most
voters it eliminates the problem of spoiler candidates knocking
off major candidates it frees communities of voters from splitting
their vote among their own candidates it promotes coalition-building
and more positive campaigning
* IRV is also better than "two-round" runoff or
primary elections, which often result in a change in voter turnout
between the two rounds. IRV finishes the job with one election,
which means that
* election officials and taxpayers don't have to foot the
bill for a second election candidates don't have to raise money
for two races, providing some campaign finance reform the decisive
election occurs when voter turnout is highest
How IRV Works: Each voter has one vote, and ranks candidates
in order of choice (1, 2, 3, etc.). The counting of ballots simulates
a series of run-off elections. All first choices are counted,
and if no candidate wins a majority of first choices, then the
last place candidate (candidate with the least first-choices)
is eliminated. Ballots of voters who ranked the eliminated candidate
first then are redistributed to their next-choice candidates,
as indicated on each voter's ballot. Last place candidates are
successively eliminated and ballots are redistributed to next
choices until one candidate remains or a candidate gains over
50% of votes.
Voters have the option to rank as many or as few candidates
as they wish-their favorite candidate first, their next favorite
second and so on. Voters have every incentive to vote for their
favorite candidate rather than the "lesser of two evils"
because their ballot can still count toward a winner if their
first choice loses. There also is every reason for a voter to
rank as many candidates as they want, since a voter's lower choice
will never help defeat one of their higher choices.
IRV is used to elect the parliament in Australia and the presidents
of the Republic of Ireland and the American Political Science
Association. A related method is used in Cambridge (MA) for city
council.
Center for Voting and Democracy 6905 Fifth St. NW Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20012 Tel. (202) 882-7378 email: cvdusa@aol.com
Web: http://www.igc.apc.org/cvd
Center for Voting and Democracy-West 1124 Anza Street San
Francisco, CA 94118 Tel. (415) 751-4474 email: shill@igc.apc.org
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