IRV - A viable alternative to runoff elections

[BridgeTheGap]

Instant Runoff Voting
An Idea Whose Time has Come!

Recently, the news headlines in Kentucky have expressed concern over the possibility of a runoff election if none of the gubernatorial candidates receives 40%+ of the votes cast. Currently, state law mandates this runoff.
The Democratic field has 7 candidates, the Republicans have 3. Clearly, the major political parties would want the strongest candidate making it to the general election in November and the runoff election in a crowded field should help that happen. But the cost and logistics of a runoff election have many County Clerks and Secretary of State Trey Grayson concerned. Calls have been made to repeal the law during this session of the General Assembly given the likelihood that a runoff will be necessary.

Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) is an election reform that is timely and can be instituted in our state, and in all local elections. IRV eliminates the need for costly runoffs!
In Kentucky's federal, state and local elections, we use an archaic method of electing public officials.
As two recent presidential elections illustrate, two presidents were elected without a majority vote. (Al Gore, 1n 2000, lost to GW Bush Jr. and GHW Bush, Sr. lost, in 1992, to Bill Clinton without majority votes.)
We should implement Instant Runoff Voting in Kentucky. Already several American localities and many countries have proven IRV to be the best election method.

With IRV, voters rank candidates according to their preference - 1st choice, 2nd choice, 3rd choice... etc. Each voter's first choice candidate is counted and if someone receives a majority of the votes (over 50%), they are declared the winner. However, if such a majority is not initially reached, an instant runoff is initiated. During this runoff, the candidate with the fewest 1st choices is eliminated and the 2nd choice of that candidate's voters is counted (added to the remaining candidates). This process is continued until a single candidate has a true majority.

Aside from its superior electoral accuracy, IRV saves money. Without the need for expensive (and poorly attended) second voting days, IRV eliminates runoff expenditures by automatically reaching an outcome in a single election.
Not only will runoffs become obsolete, IRV would remove the need for primary elections in non-partisan elections altogether, saving candidates, taxpayers and voters hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In addition to election accuracy and saving money, IRV can and have remedied many of the unsavory side effects of plurality elections:
1) Spoiler candidates would no longer threaten to rob major candidates of election's success.
2) IRV decreases mudslinging/negative campaigning since all candidates would not want to alienate potential second place voting support.
3) Increases election choices, for example, voters can vote their desired choice 1st without fear of hurting their second choice. Vote with your heart and your head!
4) More efficient system.
5) Probable increase in voter turnout.

WHAT YOU CAN DO!
1a) If you are a elected official, introduce this to others and to our legislature!

1b) As a citizen, contact your state legislators (and other citizens), seeking their support for ACTION in support of Instant Runoff Voting. That is to begin the process of implementation. Let us know!

2) Get resolutions of support from local governments and organizations you are involved in to institute Instant Runoff Voting in Kentucky's elections, and use in organization's elections. Let us know!

3) SHARE THIS WITH OTHERS and spread the word by all means possible! Let us know of your interest or results of your actions!

4) Please contact us to share your ideas and support!

LET'S IMPROVE KENTUCKY!
Troy Lacefield - [e-mail] ph# [phone]
David Fitts – [e-mail] ph# [phone]
Don Pratt – [e-mail] ph# [phone]

http://www.instantrunoff.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instant-runoff_voting

http://www.chrisgates.net/irv/

http://www.newamerica.net/programs/political_reform/instant_runoff_voting