Why IRV?
The Problem with the Current Primary System
Minneapolis now uses a nonpartisan two-round voting system to elect city officials. Two winners emerge from primaries for a general election face-off. This supposedly ensures majority (50% + 1) winners in mayoral and city council races. The problem is few voters show up for Round One, the Primary. Only 15% of registered voters turned out in 2005 – undermining the majority-winner requirement. The primary can weed out candidates who could win in a high-turnout general election. The narrower candidate field limits post-primary political debate and causes some losing candidate supporters to sit out the general election.
The current two-round system also leads to negative campaigning, split votes amongst like-minded constituents, and disproportionate representation of voters.
Finally, the current system is costly and inconvenient – the City of Minneapolis administers two elections, candidates run for two elections and voters go to the polls twice.
Why is Instant Runoff better than our current voting system?
In general, Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) is a better voting method than the current two-round – primary and general election – system in that it seeks to:
- maximize voter participation and available choices of candidates
IRV eliminates low-turnout primaries and brings the most voters together with the most candidates to choose from at the same election. It also ensures that candidates will not be disqualified in primary elections who may otherwise win in a high turnout general election.
- assure fairer and more accurate representation of the voters
IRV provides results that better reflect the voters’ intent. It also empowers voters to vote sincerely without being concerned about wasting their vote and, in turn, allows candidates to run on their issues and get an accurate tally of support.
- eliminate the cost of the Primary and reduce the cost of campaigns
The city spends less money with only one election to administer and candidates spend less money with only one election to campaign for.
IRV invigorates campaigns and reduces polarization by bringing multiple viewpoints into the debate and it promotes positive, issue based campaigns.
For a concise summary discussion of the pros and cons of various voting systems, please review the Minnesota League of Women Voters Study on voting methods (PDF).
