Instant Run-off Voting (or IRV), also called "ranked choice voting", is a means of running an election that avoids the costs of a primary but ensures that the winner has the support of the majority of voters. It is already in use in a number of cities and towns across the nation, typically in single seat races. It is seen as a means of saving money (by eliminating the need for a primary election) and making sure that every vote counts.
The voter is presented with a ballot and has the option of ranking the candidates in order of preference. When the votes are tabulated, if any candidate has more than 50% of the vote they win the election. If no candidate has a clear majority, then the candidate with the fewest votes is "eliminated", and votes cast for that candidate are transferred to the voters' second choices. This process is continued until one candidate has a clear majority.
IRV is typically done with a reasonable number of candidates, but we here at
mainstreetoshkosh.com just couldn't limit your choices so early! So we have created an Instant Run-off Voting election to hypothetically fill the "Seventh Seat" on the Oshkosh Common Council that includes almost two dozen candidates. We picked these candidates from comments left on
a previous post, and by no means has any of these individuals expressed any interest in seeking the dreaded
"Seventh Seat". We have put together a mix of former candidates, former Mayors & Councilors, and other colorful characters for you to vote for.
But the best part is you get to rank them from 1 to whatever! In the first round, your vote counts toward your first choice. Until one candidate has a majority of the votes, the lowest vote getter is eliminated and their vote transferred to your next choice that is still in the running. This continues until one candidate has a majority of votes cast.
How To Do It
Click on the link below, and then rank the candidates in the order of who you would most prefer be appointed to the seventh seat on the Common Council.
Hint: use the arrows to click on your first choice first, then second choice, etc, and then modify your ballot as you change your mind. Click on "Vote" when you are satisfied with your ballot. Then "Confirm" your ballot by clicking "confirm". The next screen will show you your ballot, then below tell you who your ballot actually counted for, and then give you options to see how your vote counted, or see the results so far.
After casting your ballot, I would recommend clicking on "See the
results so far" which will then show you the distribution of votes in the first round, which candidate was "eliminated", and to whom their vote(s) were re-allocated to. Clicking on "
Next Round" will then progress you through each round of voting, where votes are instantly re-allocated to the next best choice as candidates are eliminated for having the fewest votes.
THIS IS JUST FOR FUN
Please don't over react and spaz out about this - it is just for fun! Try it out, cast a vote, heck - do it a few times if you want (the program makes you wait a while before you can cast another ballot). And make a statement about
the direction you want the Common Council to go in while you have fun learning about IRV!
ON THE BALLOT
We've included the following candidates:
Melanie Bloechl, Michael Burayidi,
Christie Charbonneau-Wells, Bob Cornell, Warren Craft, Steve Cummings, John Daggett, Ron Hardy, Cheryl Hentz, John Hinz, Megan Hoopman, Alex Hummel, Joe Jungworth, Lois Lipke, Mark Madison, Kevin McGee, Ron Montgomery, Brian Poeschl, M
eredith Scheuermann, Jim Simmons, Frank Tower, Gregg Underheim, Amy Weinshiem, and Dick Wollangk.
WRITE INS
If you would suggest a different candidate than those listed, mention her/him in the comments and we might add them to the poll.
