Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) better known as Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference (i.e. first, second, third, fourth and so on). Voters have the option to rank as many or as few candidates as they wish, but can vote without fear that ranking less-favored candidates will harm the chances of their most preferred candidates.
First choices are tabulated, and if a candidate receives a majority of first choices, he or she is elected. If no candidate receives a clear majority of votes on the first count, a series of runoffs are simulated, using each voter’s preferences indicated on the ballot. The candidate who received the fewest first place choices is eliminated. All ballots are then retabulated, with each ballot counting as one vote for each voter’s highest ranked candidate who has not been eliminated. Specifically, voters who chose the now-eliminated candidate will now have their ballots counted for their second ranked candidate — just as if they were voting in a traditional two-round runoff election — but all other voters get to continue supporting their top candidate. The weakest candidates are successively eliminated and their voters’ ballots are redistributed to next choices until a candidate crosses a majority of votes.
The Libertarian National Committee is supporting the national organization called Rank the Vote (Rank the Vote). If you click on the States link, you’ll find efforts for KS and MO called Rank the Vote Kansas and Missourians for Ranked Choice Voting, respectively. Select your State to join the effort by volunteering or donating. There are St. Louis and KC entities that are involved in this effort.