Vote I R V

Instant Runoff Voting

Support democracy and freedom, not fear or war. VoteIRV.org
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What is Instant Runoff Voting?

Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) is a system of voting which ranks a voter’s choice of candidates in terms of preference rather than voting for a single person. It is sometimes referred to as rank or preference voting. It works by eliminating the candidates with the fewest first choices, giving the voter’s second choice to the remaining candidates while repeating this process until two candidates are left – where one would be able to claim a majority.

This system has a proven track record in many localities, voting situations and countries. It is a newer system that promotes a more in-depth democracy by encouraging alternative parties and candidates above and beyond the two-party system. By encouraging more people to become involved democracy is better served. Even though it promotes additional candidates and parties, it is not an end to the two party system, it improves it. It is an attempt to create a more democratic participatory process.

In the US, IRV is a system that must be agreed upon locally and state by state. Contact FairVote.org for more information on IRV and learn where your state and local government stands on obtaining approval of the IRV system. Get involved to get better government.

What is VoteIRV.org

VoteIRV.org is an organization devoted to increasing the awareness of the Instant Runoff Voting process. Its goal is the establishment of Instant Runoff Voting throughout the US. Promotion of IRV is its exclusive purpose. IRV’s promotional material will be coordinated around other political issues. As VoteIRV.org’s purpose is solely promotional, appropriate referrals to other organizations will be made to assist in the voting system implementation nationwide.

Why IRV?

Put a conclusion to the two-party illusion.

IRV can help put a conclusion to the two-party illusion. If you read No Debate: How the Two Major Parties Secretly Ruin the Presidential Debates by George Farah (Seven Stories Press), you will learn that both parties choreograph the presidential debate to limit the public access to information and topics. They rationalize the debate format, They break it down to the venerable two party system (“it served us well all these years”) (did it?) to dictate the topics often promoted by either candidate of the “two-party” candidates (sometimes referred to as “Twiddle Dee” and “Twiddle Dumb”) and subsequently by the media.

At one time, the League of Woman Voters sponsored the debate. However, they could no longer contend with the choreographing insisted on by the two parties. Major media outlets acquiesce to the wishes of the two-party commission and go along with “the rules.” Why don’t the media host their own debates to address topics of many candidates rather than accepting one scripted and directed by the two parties in power?

Restricting information and access to the political process may keep current leaders in power. IRV can stimulate voter interest, participation, and poll numbers. More candidates would bring out new ideas for consideration. Major parties would begin to accept certain positions of other candidates in an effort to receive the second choice, if not the first. When ideas and policies are stifled, fear and anger divides. With division comes animosity and in many instances, violence. When dissent is restricted voices are not heard. Individuals become disenfranchised and disinterested in pursuing democratic ideals. IRV empowers individuals and smaller parties to participate and not look to other avenues of dissent. Unfortunately, many “democratic” leaders often attempt to limit choice in order to remain in power, confuse issues, and accumulate resources.

IRV is designed to increase involvement and participation in the voting process. If a majority of the electorate votes, the minority does not rule. IRV’s goal is to get more people involved in the democratic process; picking people and principles over parties and politics. IRV makes each vote count more by encouraging candidates vying for a voter’s second choice to embrace additional candidates’ positions. Views are aired and democracy is served.

As new ideas and strategies for successful government are promoted, real democracy flourishes. When ideas and policies are stifled, fear and anger divides. With division comes animosity and in all too many instances, violence. When dissent is restricted, voices are not heard and individuals become disenfranchised and disinterested in voting or getting involved in important issues. With IRV, individuals and smaller parties can become more empowered to believe they can make a difference.

What’s with No More Lies/No More Lives/No More Bush’s Alibis/Support Democracy and Freedom, Not Fear or War?

VoteIRV.org is coordinating its first campaign to support democracies throughout the world based on participatory democracy rather than fear. Fear is all too often used by governments to concentrate power. A free society is free of most fear and could conceivably be free of war. A more democratic process like Instant Runoff Voting can assist all countries in creating better democracies.

One particular fear that must be continually challenged is fear of being franchised. For instance, some Iraqi insurgents may believe that the US is helping to set up a democracy that supports US’s goals and not Iraq’s. We need to create democracy that doesn’t include fear in its equation. The presence of fear can easily be escalated into security fears and wars. Again, politicians, and other leaders in power can generate fear among its electorate in an attempt to retain power and provide ammunition to acquire more ammunition. War can be very profitable to many corporations while leaving many lies and lives in its wake. Buyer beware of fear profiteers!

Where do you go from here?

Check out
FairVote.org
The Center for Voting Democracy
6930 Carroll Avenue, Suite 610
Takoma, Park, MD 20912
(301) 270-4616
Be sure to check out their Flash Animation illustrating IRV (.html) under Fair Vote’s Resources for an very simple explanation of how IRV works.
Get involved with your community and state groups to approve IRV. FairVote.org is a great place to start.
Check out http://instantrunoff.com for more information on voting systems.
If you are so inclined join IRV chat at: instantrunoff@yahoogroups.com
Read No Debate : How the Two Major Parties Secretly Ruin the Presidential Debates (Paperback) by George Farah. This is a great book. Don’t wait ‘til the next presidential election to read it.
Listen to DemocracyNow.org, a weekday, one hour radio and TV news program for people looking for more in-depth insight into complicated issues not commonly found on network news.
Check out BlackBoxVoting.org for more information on the voting process in general.