A group of supporters launched a campaign Tuesday with the goal to save instant runoff voting (IRV).
With instant runoff voting, voters rank the candidates in order of preference. If no candidate wins a majority of first place votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. The ballots are then redistributed according to the voter’s choices.
In 2008, 71% of Memphis voters chose instant runoff for city council elections. Nine years later it still hasn’t been implemented.
“If they said, ‘This is what we’ve decided,’ city government needs to respect that, and they need to honor the fact that they shouldn’t just constantly readjust things that solely benefit them,” said Theryn C. Bond, the spokesperson for Save IRV.
Supporters in the group say instant runoff voting requires only one trip to the polls, and elects officials who have the most support. They also say it saves money and eliminates the cost of runoffs.
