Instant Runoff is
an innovative voting system that lets voters rank candidates (1, 2, 3),
just in
case their favorite candidate gets eliminated in a runoff round. Just
like a regular runoff
election, candidates need a majority of votes to win. If no one earns
51% of the votes (only
counting the '1' votes), then an Instant Runoff is held: the last place
candidate is eliminated.
Her supporters, however, are still in the election. Their votes are
not thrown away, but count
towards their second-choice candidate (marked with a '2'). The process
continues until
someone earns a majority, and they win. No more spoilers or wasted
vote, and we ensure
majority rule.
Other ideas for reform discussion include proportional representation,
more open
ballot-access law, having None of the Above (NOTA) as a choice in elections,
considering
geographic rather than political boundaries for districting, etc.
Resources: