If not in the case of ties (or near ties that require extensive recounts), it is typically employed in elections in which no candidate receives a majority vote.

I guess I'm not seeing the advantage in that scenario either.

Assuming your scenario, with the following numbers:

Candidate A : 41%
Candidate B : 33%
Candidate C : 26%

Candidate A has a plurality, but not a majority. I'm not seeing how IRV can, or should change this outcome.

Sounds like a modification that would favor Democrats since they have more splinter parties.

How about no.

Well it depends on what the voters are looking for in any given election. Let's say Candidates B and C are very similar and differ on only a few issues. That most of B voters listed C second and vice versa.

If A is declared winner, that could run contrary to what the voters are actually looking for.

I realize there are a lot of ifs and hypotheticals, but isn't this kind of what happened in the 2000 presidential election?

To me, that kind of goes against the ideal of 'one person, one vote'. Not candidate is ever going to truly mesh with someone's set of ideas and values, so you select the best match. I don't think that anyone's 'backup choice' should have any bearing whatsoever.

Presidential elections are an entirely different animal. The existence of the electoral college changes the dynamic entirely.

I agree with Xcheck... because normally people are independant tend to agree with more Democrat views than Republican... so this just makes it so that the Democrats constantly win... No thanks

That's a pretty blanket assumption, and not entirely accurate.

That's a pretty blanket assumption, and not entirely accurate.

Which part? haha The part that the Independent party favors democratic views? or that the votes will go to the Democrats?

Independents swing both ways, hence the fact that they are independent. As times change, the indy vote swings both ways depending on the hot issues of the day.

I like where this thread is going, ideas to make voting better and more fair. I am not opposed to this type of hijack.

Hopefully people can look beyond party lines instead of "we should do this because it will help my guy win."

Independents swing both ways, hence the fact that they are independent. As times change, the indy vote swings both ways depending on the hot issues of the day.