While not widely acknowledged in the press or by the two dominant political parties, various forms of proportional and semi-proportional systems are used to elect city councils, county and state bodies, school boards and even Democratic presidential delegates. It requires each voter to select one party and its slate of candidates to represent him or her. If a party receives 30 percent of the vote, it receives 30 percent of the seats in the legislature. Ten percent of the vote receives 10 percent of the seats, and so on. Typically, a minimum of 3 percent to 5 percent is required to earn representation.
Voters simply rank candidates in order of preference.
Very few votes are wasted. Instant Runoff Voting, a cousin of Choice Voting, is ideal for electing single-seat leaders like presidents or governors. The third-placers votes then are transferred to each voters second choice until a candidate emerges with a majority. To find out more, search this Web site, or read Tyranny of the Majority, the 1994 classic by Lani Guinier. And watch what happens to the States' Choice of Voting Systems Act.