If the US added a runoff system...

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Let's say a constitutional amendment was adopted tommorow requiring a runoff between the top two candidates in all elections if no one breaks 50%. Not the same as Louisiana, since states can still hold their primaries, but you need 50% to win. Would this cause any major difference in the political system?

I bet the two-party haters will be very very disappointed, the Democrats and Republicans would still win over 90% of elections, at least. The only real difference is a few seats like in the Bay Area will go from being non-competitive to competitive between the Greens and Democrats. Centrist third parties like the Reform Party might appear, but they'll be known more for impressive third place finishes than actual victories. Fluke victories like Jesse Ventura's will obviously become more common, but I'd be shocked if we had ever had more than 2 non-D/R Governors at any, more than 3 non-D/R Senators and more than 20 non-D/R House Reps.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

The two party system would continue to dominate, it's just that someone's vote would matter more if they chose not to vote for a major party on the first ballot.

[Colin]

The two party system would continue to dominate, it's just that someone's vote would matter more if they chose not to vote for a major party on the first ballot.

Exactly. You would get a system like France has. Two major parties surrounded by smaller parties that are unofficial or officially, in some way, aligned with the two major parties.

[MODU]

One of the nice things about the electoral college . . . no need for a runoff.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

One of the nice things about the electoral college . . . no need for a runoff.

How is that good? What's good about winning elections with less than a majority?

You also realize the two party system you hate so much is because of the electoral college and FPTP, although as I pointed out, a run-off wouldn't improve much. But you'll be stuck with it forever without a run off.

[MODU]

One of the nice things about the electoral college . . . no need for a runoff.

How is that good? What's good about winning elections with less than a majority?

You also realize the two party system you hate so much is because of the electoral college and FPTP, although as I pointed out, a run-off wouldn't improve much. But you'll be stuck with it forever without a run off.

How is this good?  There's just one election day.  Hence the reason why I said "one of the...".

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

As long as there's only one election day, there's going to be a two party system, which you loathe so much.

[Colin]

As long as there's only one election day, there's going to be a two party system, which you loathe so much.

Unless you institute IRV for single-member district or Presidential races or proportional voting in multi-member constituencies for Congress.

[© tweed]

As long as there's only one election day, there's going to be a two party system, which you loathe so much.

Unless you institute IRV for single-member district or Presidential races or proportional voting in multi-member constituencies for Congress.

IRV killed Atlasia, I'm sure it'd kill America as well if given the chance.

[Colin]

As long as there's only one election day, there's going to be a two party system, which you loathe so much.

Unless you institute IRV for single-member district or Presidential races or proportional voting in multi-member constituencies for Congress.

IRV killed Atlasia, I'm sure it'd kill America as well if given the chance.

How the fuck does IRV kill something? If Atlasia is being killed its not by IRV.

[© tweed]

As long as there's only one election day, there's going to be a two party system, which you loathe so much.

Unless you institute IRV for single-member district or Presidential races or proportional voting in multi-member constituencies for Congress.

IRV killed Atlasia, I'm sure it'd kill America as well if given the chance.

How the fuck does IRV kill something? If Atlasia is being killed its not by IRV.

It's screwed up so many elections here.  People have cast votes that decided election, not knowing exactly how their vote would impact the election.  Obviously, the USA would tabulate many more ballots than Atlasia, but I'd rather not experiment.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

The problem with IRV is it would take forever to count.

Imagine the California recall election.

[ATFFL]

The problem with IRV is it would take forever to count.

Imagine the California recall election.

Simple solution:  Diebold.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

The problem with IRV is it would take forever to count.

Imagine the California recall election.

Simple solution:  Diebold.

That's a much bigger problem.

[minionofmidas]

The problem with IRV is it would take forever to count.

Imagine the California recall election.

Actually, that wouldn't have taken long at all, since all the candidates below Bustamante taken together polled fewer votes than Bustamante, meaning they could be eliminated in a single round of counting.