Instant Runoff Voting: Latest Publications

Like Hollywood, U.S. Should Update Its Voting System

Erin Drankoski — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:59:00 -0400

Once upon a time, Hollywood cinematographers, disenchanted with black-and-white movies, embraced color film to more faithfully represent what they saw through the lenses of their cameras. Now Hollywood has taken an equally innovative step to represent the preferences of those who make the movies.

It’s Time to Bring Majority Rule to the American Election Process

Cecille Isidro — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 10:05:00 -0400

Virginia's Democratic gubernatorial primary made all sorts of national news last month. The more typical stories equated former Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe's defeat with the end of the Clinton era. Yet, despite the abundance of coverage, one significant detail has been left out of the generally agreed upon "story" about Virginia's recent gubernatorial primary -- the losing candidates received more votes than the winner.

Instant Runoff Voting for the City of San Jose:

Political Reform — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:14:00 -0400

Executive Summary

San Jose uses a two-round runoff system to elect its mayor and city council, with the first election in June and a runoff election in November if no candidate wins a majority of votes in June. Voter turnout in the June general election is about half that of the November election, with turnout disproportionately lower among traditionally disenfranchised communities. With most elections being decided in a low turnout June election, a small and unrepresentative segment of the community is having an oversized effect

Instant Runoffs Would Reduce Election Costs

Cecille Isidro — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 07:32:00 -0400

California faces a crater-size, $24 billion deficit - and we're about to throw away millions more on three elections we don't need. But here's the good news: If we adopt Instant Runoff Voting, or IRV, for special elections, we can save that amount and more.

With IRV, taxpayers could save nearly $2 million July 14 (fittingly, Bastille Day).

Runaway, Budget-Busting Runoffs

Cecille Isidro — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:30:00 -0400

This year, California state and local governments will spend close to $10 million on at least three elections we do not need. That makes no sense amidst California’s and our nation’s brutal recession.