Just a quick look into recent history:

Following Burlington's first-ever Vermont election conducted by Instant Runoff Voting, supporters want to take the voting system statewide. And so this election was watched closely.

(Vermont's First Instant Runoff Voting Election, WCAX, 03/07/06)

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On November 7th, 2006 the voters of Minneapolis, MN voted for instant runoff voting overwhelming 65% to 35% (official results here). For clarity's sake: they're calling it "ranked choice voting", but the wording of the charter amendment proposal clears up any confusion over terms:

CHARTER AMENDMENT NO. 161

A PROPOSAL TO USE INSTANT RUNOFF VOTING IN MINNEAPOLIS ELECTIONS

Should the City of Minneapolis adopt Single Transferable Vote, sometimes known as Ranked Choice Voting or Instant Runoff Voting, as the method for electing the Mayor, City Council, and members of the Park and Recreation Board, Library Board, and Board of Estimate and Taxation without a separate primary election and with ballot format and rules for counting votes adopted by ordinance?

The Minnesota Secretary of State has set up a Ranked Choice Voting Issues Group to facilitate implementation of the voters choice.

The next Minneapolis municipal elections aren't until 2009.

In 1968 U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Marshall Harlan II contributed to the decision for Williams v. Rhodes. The case came from Ohio and dealt with ballot access for presidential wannabes. The essence of the case was Ohio's claim it had a valid interest in keeping third parties off the ballot. The state argued with three (or more) candidates the winner often received less than a majority of votes, and this could mean an elected candidate with only minority support.

The prevailing decision, delivered by Justice Black, included

Similarly we have said with reference to the right to vote: "No right is more precious in a free country than that of having a voice in the election of those who make the laws under which, as good citizens, we must live. Other rights, even the most basic, are illusory if the right to vote is undermined."

Justice Harlan stated in his concurring decision (my bold emphasis)

My Brother STEWART is, of course, quite right in pointing out that the presence of third parties may on occasion result in the election of the major candidate who is in reality less preferred by the majority of the voters. It seems clear to me, however, that many constitutional electoral structures could be designed which would accommodate this valid state interest, without depriving other political organizations of the right to participate effectively in the political process. A runoff election may be mandated if no party gains a majority, or the decision could be left to the State Legislature in such a case, compare Fortson v. Morris, 385 U.S. 231 (1966). Alternatively, the voter could be given the right, at the general election, to indicate both his first and his second choice for the Presidency - if no candidate received a majority of first-choice votes, the second-choice votes could then be considered. Finally, Electors could be chosen on a district-by-district rather than an at-large basis, thereby apportioning the electoral vote in a way more nearly approximating the popular vote. See McPherson v. Blacker, supra, and text, at n. 4, supra. I would conclude that, with the substantial variety of less restrictive alternatives that are available, compare NAACP v. Alabama, 377 U.S. 288, 307-308 (1964); Saia v. New York, 334 U.S. 558, 562 (1948); Martin v. Struthers, 319 U.S. 141, 146-149 (1943); Thornhill v. Alabama, 310 U.S. 88, 96 (1940); Schneider v. State, 308 U.S. 147 (1939), this interest cannot support Ohio's 15% requirement.

So at least in this case the Supreme Court of the United States of America stated quite explicitly that a) voting is a fundamental right, and 2) one of the valid options is indeed instant runoff voting.

Instant runoff voting definitely changes the type of conversation politicians have with the public ... better or worse is up to you.

A 2004 NY Times article, New Runoff System in San Francisco Has the Rival Candidates Cooperating (may require free subscription), had this to say about San Francisco's new use if IRV:

An early effect has been to introduce a new civility among the candidates, something many San Franciscans have wholeheartedly embraced. Because the winner in each district might be determined by voters' second and third choices, candidates have quickly learned that it is best to be on friendly terms so as not to alienate their opponents' supporters.

"Even if you come in second among the first-choice votes, you still have a shot at winning, so long as you can reach out to be the No. 2 choice to the rest of the people," said Mr. Wong, an immigration lawyer.

And more recently Boston.com wrote of Burlington's 2006 mayoral election:

Candidates even have tried to take advantage of the new system. Progressive Party candidate Bob Kiss' signs promote him as the "first choice for mayor." Republican Kevin Curley has told his supporters that he endorses Kiss as a second choice. Democrat Hinda Miller has declined to endorse a second choice, arguing she's confident she'll win in the first round.

Note to readers: Hinda Miller is not Burlington's mayor!

I suspect Mr. Curley's wishes had more to do with politics than friendly wishes, but the discussion did change. I've been anecdotally told by Burlingtonians and political watchers that the general campaign discussion improved in the Queen City.

On November 2nd, 2004 the voters of Ferndale, Michigan overwhelmingly passed Proposal B, Proposed Amendment to Ferndale City Charter Chapter IV, Section 17, by a margin of 6,522 (69.75%) to 2,828 (30.25%).

The proposal was about Instant Runoff Voting and read

This amendment provides for the election of mayor and council members by majority vote using an instant run-off voting procedure of counting votes as soon as the City acquires voting machine equipment, approved by the City Election Commission, to implement this amendment. Voters shall designate first preferences and subsequent preferences; if no candidate receives a majority, the candidate with fewest first preferences is eliminated and the secondary preferences for that candidate are recounted until a candidate receives a majority who shall be elected to office.

(More details here.)

According to FairVote

The Ferndale proposal was widely endorsed with supporters including Mayor Robert Porter, Council-members Helen Marie Weber, Scott Galloway and Craig Covey, the Ferndale Democratic Club, Green Party of Michigan, Michigan Libertarian Party, The Detroit Free Press, The Oakland Press, Alliance for Democracy of Metro Detroit, Triangle Foundation, Michigan Election Reform Coalition and Public Interest Research Group in Michigan (PIRGIM).

But there was a problem ...

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Main heading: Who said this? Secondary heading: Who's ox was getting gored? See if you can figure it out.

Hello this is Senator ***************. I’m calling to urge your support for Ballot Measure 1 on the August 27th primary election. As a presidential candidate and as a senator, I’ve worked hard to open up the political process for all Americans. Ballot Measure 1 will adopt a fairer voting method called instant runoff voting that will lead to good government because Alaska will elect leaders who have the support of a majority of voters. With Measure 1, elected leaders will be more likely to listen to all Alaskans and cities like Anchorage and Fairbanks will be able to enjoy big tax savings and keep majority rule. Measure 1 has support from independent voters and political parties all across the political spectrum. Please see Alaskansforvotersrights.com for more info and please vote “Yes” on Measure 1 on August 27th.

(The website Alaskansforvotersrights.com does not appear to exist anymore.)

Give up? What you read was the script for a "robo-call" recording made by Arizona's Senator John McCain. The year was 2002, and the Alaskan Republicans' noses were out of joint because of a strong libertarian component that was siphoning votes away from the party's candidates.

Click here for the audio.

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