Can IRV have an impact on the awful mudslinging and negative campaigning?
Yes. In recent KC elections, voters have been bombarded with nasty “hit” pieces, personal attacks and TV ads telling them the worst about their political leaders. In contrast, IRV discourages such mudslinging because candidates know they may need the second or third ranking from other candidates’ supporters to win. The result is a major shift in traditional campaign strategy. Instead of mudslinging, candidates have an incentive to run civil, issues-based campaigns and find common ground. Covering San Francisco’s IRV elections, one New York Times headline read: “New Runoff System in San Francisco Has the Rival Candidates Cooperating.” Such coalition-building is certain to benefit the eventual winner when governing.
