New Runoff System in San Francisco Has the Rival Candidates Cooperating

[wildeyed]

Eugene C. Wong is running for an office that typically does not draw the national spotlight. Yet Mr. Wong and the 64 others seeking seats on the County Board of Supervisors here are being closely watched by advocates for election reform around the country.

snip......

The cooperation is in response to a new election system, instant-runoff voting. The system, which voters approved in 2002 and is having its first run, is viewed by critics of winner-take-all elections as the start of a long-overdue overhaul of the way Americans choose elected officials.

Under this system, voters can choose three candidates for each office, ranking them in order of preference. If no candidate wins more than 50 percent of the first-choice votes, the lowest-placing finishers are eliminated, and the second and, if necessary, third choices on those ballots are counted until someone garners a majority.

The system removes the need for a separate runoff election, saving money and, if the recent past is a guide, increasing the number of voters who have a say in choosing the winner. Under the old system, turnout usually dropped significantly in runoffs.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/30/national/30runoff.html?pagewanted=1&th&oref=login

[davidinalameda]

1. it's going to be interesting

but I think it will work

the runoffs were a joke--you'd get like 10% of those who voted in November

it cost the city money for poll workers and ballots

and if the candidates are so worried about it, let them educate the voters on how it works

[wildeyed]

2. We had a runoff in my city for Secretary of Education

or some such thing. 3% voter turnout. What a waste of money and time.

The tiered voting seems to bring some civility to the elections process. Also, people can vote for candidates that more closely represent their true views without wasting their vote. I am watching with much hope and excitement.

[NashVegas]

3. I Can't Wait to See How Long Before This Too Will Be Corrupted

It would be easy enough, all you have to do is watch the typical reality TV show to see how it will happen.

"Hey, tell ya what, I won't do any negative advertising against you, if you'll do the same. Who knows, if one of us wins, we could appoint the other."

Not much different from our current process, is there? And this way, I guess people can cut deals across party lines, that too would be interesting.