As Easy as 1-2-3

Final Report of the Vermont Commission to Study Instant Runoff Voting

Presented to the
Vermont House of Representatives
pursuant to H.R. 37

January 1999

 

Table of Contents

Introduction. Committee Members

Section 1. Executive Summary

Section 2. Recommendations

Section 3. The Problem IRV Solves

Section 4. Discussion:

  1. Vermont's voting system is broken, and needs fixing
    Chart 1. Vermont Elections with No Majority Winner
  2. How Vermont's voting system has changed
  3. How IRV would work in Vermont
  4. IRV promotes majority rule in single-seat elections
  5. IRV could increase voter participation
  6. IRV promotes government stability
  7. IRV encourages sincere voting rather than disingenuous tactical voting
  8. IRV reduces the number of "wasted" votes
  9. IRV more accurately reflects each voter's will
  10. IRV encourages civility and less negative campaigning
  11. IRV is simple for voters to use
  12. IRV ballot design
  13. IRV will not create any increased burdens for local polling officials
  14. IRV and polling place efficiency
  15. IRV will not generally delay election results
  16. IRV treats all voters equally and does not give extra clout to some
  17. IRV accommodates more candidates without vote splintering
  18. IRV does not favor or hurt any particular group
  19. IRV would add no significant cost to running elections
  20. The variety of runoff voting procedures
  21. IRV is superior to two-round runoff elections
  22. IRV can comply with Vermont's Constitution
  23. IRV faces no obstacle from federal laws or the federal constitution

Section 5. Areas for further study

Appendix A. House Resolution 37
Appendix B. Summary of H.665, 1998 IRV Bill
Appendix C. History of Vermont Voting Systems
Appendix D. The History of Vermont Elections Without a Majority
Part 1. Election of State Officers
Part 2. Election of U.S. Congressional Representatives.

Conclusion

Appendix E. History of Instant Runoff Voting.
Appendix F. Mock IRV Elections in Vermont Schools
Chart 2. Mock IRV Election Evaluation Results
Appendix G. Sample IRV ballots.

Glossary of Terms

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