PREAMBLE: The way we elect our Governors is a system known as First Past the Post (FPTP). It’s very straightforward, majority wins no matter the scenario. However, this system presents multiple problems when more than 2 candidates are running. Let’s say we have 2 candidates and they are vastly different. Candidate A is very aggressive in terms of diplomatic and foreign activities and exchanges, while Candidate B is more chill about everything, and always chooses the more pacifist route. The results look like this:
Candidate A: 45%
Candidate B:55%
Very straightforward. Candidate B wins with the majority of citizens wanting Candidate B. However when a third person pops in, in this case Candidate C, the results are changed. Candidate C is very like Candidate B, however C is a little smaller and slightly different. Candidate C gets 25% of the vote, however look what happens.
(Aggressive in terms of Diplomatic discussions) Candidate A: 45%
(Peaceful in terms of Diplomatic discussions) Candidate B: 30%
(Peaceful in terms of Diplomatic discussions) Candidate C: 25%
Some B voters liked Candidate C a little better than Candidate B. But look what happened. Since Candidate A now has the majority, Candidate A is the new Governor. However, 55% of the voters wanted a Candidate who was peaceful in terms of diplomatic discussions, and now they don’t have one. Sure, 45% of voters wanted Candidate A, but 55% of voters didn’t want Candidate A.
First Past the Post also presents another problem. The neglect of smaller candidates, and how the Governor elections always turn into a 1v1. Let’s say, for example a voter really likes Candidate C. However, since Candidate C is considered a smaller candidate, this voter is afraid that since his vote will be wasted, and Candidate A, who this voter strongly dislikes will win instead. So, he is forced to vote for Candidate B, and thus causing the Governor election to mainly be between Candidate A and B, and giving smaller candidates little to no chance.
Instant Runoff voting (IRV) is a voting system that aims to fix all of these problems, to ensure fair elections for our Governor.
BE IT HERE ENACTED BY THE FIRESTONE CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLES THAT:
SECTION 1. All Firestone Gubernatorial elections shall now use the Instant Runoff voting system. This system shall only be used when there are 3 registered candidates or more. If not, the Gubernatorial elections shall use the First Past the Post system.
SECTION 2. The Instant Runoff voting system shall be defined as an electoral system whereby voters rank candidates in order of preference. In the event that one candidate fails to achieve a sufficient majority (50%), the candidate with the fewest number of first-preference rankings is eliminated and these votes redistributed, the process being repeated until one candidate achieves the required majority (50%).
EXAMPLE:
BASIC RESULTS (Counted votes)
CANDIDATE A: 45%
CANDIDATE B: 30%
CANDIDATE C: 25%
Let’s say, hypothetically, all of the Candidate C voter’s ballots looked like this:
[] CANDIDATE A
[2] CANDIDATE B
[1] CANDIDATE C
This voter wants Candidate C to be Governor, so he writes a 1 on Candidate C. His second choice would be Candidate B, so he writes a 2 on Candidate B. He hates Candidate A, so he stops there.
Since, in this scenario, all of the Candidate C voters choose Candidate B as their second choice, and Candidate C is now eliminated since they’re the biggest loser, all of Candidate ### votes are redistributed. Due to the fact in this scenario all of the Candidate C voters choose B as their second candidates, all of Candidate C’s ###es are transferred to Candidate B.
FINAL RESULTS
Candidate A: 45%
Candidtae B: 55% (winner)
SECTION 3. The First Past the Post system shall be defined as: A voting system where each voter chooses one candidate/option, and majority wins no matter what.
EXAMPLE:
CANDIDATE A: 45%
CANDIDATE B: 30%
CANDIDATE C: 25%
SECTION 4. All laws in conflict with this legislation shall be considered null and void.
SECTION 5. This legislation shall go into effect immediately.
Signed,
Senator NoobletNub
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