The Conservative Case for IRV

Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) is a ranked-choice voting system that upholds the goal of majority win in a single election, removing the need for runoffs. If implemented, IRV would be a different system than Americans have used in the past. The system has been implemented a few places across the nation and has often had liberal supporters. Why should a conservative support IRV?

  • Ends expensive runoff elections: IRV promotes economy and efficiency in government. Taxpayers, election volunteers, and staff are no longer burdened with multiple, expensive, time-consuming runoff elections.

  • Prevents voter fraud: Holding multiple elections (primary-general-runoff) presents multiple opportunities for fraud. Thus, instituting IRV, a system by which a winner is always determined by one single election, reduces fraud.

  • Helps candidate recruitment: Good candidates are more likely to get into an open race they believe they can win by appealing to a broader range of voters and garnering the right combination of first and second choice votes.

  • Curtails one-issue candidates who can take the party down to defeat: One-issue candidates can win a primary but carry the party down to defeat in a general election—something that has happened frequently to conservatives. IRV makes it more difficult for these candidates because they are unlikely to garner the broad support necessary to be victorious in a general election.

  • Addresses voter apathy: Lively, multi-candidate races help generate turnout, especially in non-presidential years. If a voter’s first choice doesn’t win, the voter’s second choice still counts. Voters feel more empowered and legitimized under IRV. This presents an opportunity for conservatives to energize minor party voters and bring them into the fold.

For more information, see:

“Empowering Moderate Voters: Implement an Instant Runoff Strategy,” https://www.brookings.edu/research/empowering-moderate-voters-implement-an-instant-runoff-strategy/
Here Republican former Congressman John Porter provides a fact sheet and position paper in support of IRV.

“John McCain Endorses IRV in Alaska,”
http://archive.fairvote.org/media/irv/mccain.wav
In this audio recording of an automated campaign message, the late U.S. Senator John McCain encourages Alaska voters to vote in favor of IRV.

“#MoreVoice,”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=3JEYep-5IS8
In this video, Former Maine Republican Party Chairman Mark Ellis encourages Mainers to support Ranked Choice Voting (a.k.a. Instant Runoff Voting).

 “Maine Voices: Question 5 Would Improve Political Process and Grow Maine’s Economy,”
https://outline.com/Den9W6
Here Republican Jim Shaffer, former dean of the University of Southern Maine School of Business and former CEO of Guy Gannett Communications, explains how Ranked Choice Voting (a.k.a. Instant Runoff Voting) would help end gridlock and encourage politicians to find compromise on everyday political problems.

“Why State Elections Need Instant Runoffs,”
https://www.ibtimes.com/why-state-elections-need-instant-runoffs-2842762
In this column, conservative political consultant John Pudner, executive director of Take Back Our Republic, advocates for IRV in the states.