The purpose of this Diary is to conduct an IRV-based poll on possible candidates who might emerge from Democratic, liberal or progressive ranks to contend in 2008 for the office of President.
Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) is a electoral reform that allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference, so that in cases where there is no initial majority winner, a runoff recount can be conducted without a new election to determine which candidate is actually preferred by a majority of voters.
The IRV works basically as follows: Instead of just casting one vote for one candidate, voters rank the candidates: 1,2,3, etc. (hence, the motto, "it's as easy as 1-2-3."). If no candidate receives a majority of the #1 votes, the candidate with the least total of #1 votes is eliminated. The second choice votes from these ballots are then transferred to the other candidates. The ballots are recounted, and candidates are eliminated in this fashion until 1 winner emerges with a majority of the vote.
The advantages of the system are:· When there are more than 2 candidates, it ensures the winner has a majority. Without IRV, the winner can win with less than 50% of the vote. How do we really know they have a mandate?
· It will allow more candidates, including independents and third-parties, to get involved in a race, without being accused of "spoiling" the elections. Even if your favorite candidate comes in last on the first ballot, at least IRV allows your next favorite candidate to be counted. No more wasting your vote, and no more spoilers.
· It decreases negative campaigning. To win, candidates need to get some 2nd and 3rd place votes, as well as 1st place votes. They'll be less likely to "go negative" if they need their opponents' voters, too.
· IRV saves money. Some states and local elections hold runoffs weeks later to pick the winner. IRV holds the runoff all in one voting process.
Any way, it's my self-assumed task to measure the sentiment in this community of Kos with respect to current preferences in Democratic presidential contenders in 2008.
Now some will say that any four years is a long time in American political history. Certainly the last four years have been and there's a good sign that the next four years will be more so. But it's of interest to me, and I hope of interest to others, to see at this point in time and going forward, which candidates are favored and which are not.
So here are the rules:
1. One Ballot per Kos Member.
2. A ballot shall consist of a list of candidates, (not exceeding 16 in number) listed in a column in order of preference. This list shall also serve as nominations. The 16 most popular (most frequently appearing on the lists) candidates shall constitute the nominated slate.
3. To prevent 'gaming the system', nominating and balloting shall may be done in secret. Only Lists/ballots May be submitted to me at The__Messenger@msn.com (2 spaces underlined) by email. shall be voted. I recommend IRV-2008 for the subject line. Otherwise, list candidates in order of your preference in comments below. (Of course, candidates can be listed and their pros & cons can be discussed in the comments of this Diary.)
4. The deadline for all votes will be December 31st. At that time votes will be calculated and results published.
Please do not email questions, but direct them to me in comments below.
Thanks