In one of my college math classes a few years ago, my class discussed the different forms of voting and how it’s nearly impossible to have a “fair” voting system for all situations. So let’s not talk about “fair” voting for N.C. elections. Instead, let’s talk about how to achieve a “true majority” vote. Here are some facts that reveal that our current “whoever gets the most votes” system is not a true representation of who we want in office:

  • North Carolina has an increasing number of unaffiliated voters, and they outnumber at least one of the “big two” parties in several counties.
  • Governor Perdue won her seat by less than 50% of the vote, implying that even with the large voter turn-out for Obama, the majority of North Carolina voters DID NOT vote for her.
  • Each time there is not a clear majority in an election, N.C. has to fund and orchestrate a separate run-off election. This gets expensive, and yet it’s preventable!
  • The Libertarian Party in North Carolina has shown consistent growth since it regained ballot access in 2008, but it has struggled against the fear among voters that they would be “wasting” their vote to vote Libertarian. As long as the “big two” parties can perpetuate this fear, no third party will prevail, and the unique and diverse interests of the growing block of unaffiliated voters will be ignored.
  • Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) has been a success in several places so far and it’s growing in popularity. It’s currently the best option on the table to achieve a “true majority” vote while only casting a single ballot.
  • IRV has already been well-received in N.C.: check out this link at FairVote.org where Cary, NC, voters are interviewed about IRV in their municipal elections in 2007: http://archive.fairvote.org/?page=2302

Without IRV, a vote for a Libertarian candidate like me will count only for me. With IRV, votes for Libertarian candidates like me will count not only for that Libertarian, but also for the voter’s second choice if the first choice doesn’t get enough votes to make it through the first “round.” Plus, we don’t have to go to the polls but once to enjoy this: it’s all done by ranking choices on a single ballot.

I’m ready to see IRV used in North Carolina. In the N.C. Senate, I will author and introduce a bill to phase IRV into N.C. voting procedures, starting at the top of the ticket with our Governor’s race in 2012.

If you’re not familiar with IRV, check out some of the helpful information at Instantrunoff.com and FairVote.org