What our political system needs is BALLOTAGE in presidential elections

[Runcible Spoon]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-round_system
"The two-round system (also known as the second ballot or runoff voting) is a voting system used to elect a single winner. Under runoff voting, the voter simply casts a single vote for their favourite candidate. However, if no candidate receives an absolute majority of votes, then all candidates, except the two with the most votes, are eliminated, and a second round of voting occurs"

Under ballotage, we NEVER would have had two fucking terms of Bush. McCain wouldn't stand a chance. Progressive third parties such as the Social Democrats and the Greens would gain traction and visibility. The two-party stranglehold would be effectively broken, and we could run more progressive candidates. The monumental cost of campaigning would be lessened since less would need to be spent seducing swing voters, who hold too much decisive power. We wouldn't need candidates running to the muddled middle and voting on heinous legislation.

Ballotage would really give us an accurate sense of voters' priorities and the direction they want the country to take. I haven't really seen much support for ideas like this on DU...what say you guys?

[Peace Patriot]

1. I agree! It's one of those things I would consider proposing as a Constitutional

amendment (to bust the VASTLY corrupt two-party system), after we restore transparent vote counting. No other reform is possible until we get the vote counting out of the hands of Bushwhack corporations and their 'TRADE SECRET' code, and back into the PUBLIC VENUE--a campaign that will have to be waged at the grass roots level, in every state/local jurisdiction in the country (cuz the national political establishment ain't gonna do a frackin thing about it--they like it this way).

Instant run-off voting makes beautiful sense. I'm all for it.

[magdalena]

2. Absolutely for this idea

Though sadly, I'm pretty convinced that both repukes and dems would never let this happen as long as they maintain power.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

3. I think there are even better systems. Condorcet (preference voting) takes only one round.

Look up Condorcet voting on Wikipedia. There are many slight variations, but it's a great system.

[Runcible Spoon]

4. yes, any of the more refined systems too.

I was just using a simple example since a lot of people aren't familiar with this even though it is used successfully in many countries.

[Runcible Spoon]

5. kickity.