Instant runoff voting (IRV, also known as ranked choice voting) expands voter choice and protects majority rule in winner-take-all elections. IRV has won a string of landslide victories in ballot measures in jurisdictions like Oakland, California, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Memphis, Tennessee. Laws promoting it in city elections have passed in North Carolina and Colorado, major private associations use it (including more than 50 American universities in student elections), the British government is seriously talking about establishing IRV for its next elections, and President Barack Obama was the lead sponsor of a 2002 bill to implement IRV for primary elections in Illinois.

This coming year IRV advocates face key opportunities and challenges, including a November ballot measure in St. Paul, Minnesota, and three repeal efforts triggered by nervous partisans. Lurking are chances to win IRV in a growing number of states, including a new ballot measure drive launched by a Massachusetts coalition that includes former gubernatorial candidate Jill Stein.

"Ground zero" this year is a defense in Pierce County. The first Pierce County elections last year were instructive: an independent won the county assessor-treasurer race, defeating four major party county councilors; a Democrat became the first woman county executive in Washington State history by defeating a Republican and a more traditional Democrat in an election in which four candidates won more than 10% of first choices; and three winners were outspent, reflecting a trend in IRV elections.

Nevertheless, the county council has placed a repeal on the November ballot. Partisans tend to evaluate a reform based on whether it "worked" for their side, and both Republicans (who lost the county executive race after their candidate led in first choices) and Democrats (who lost two of the three most contested IRV races) weren’t happy with the results. The council revealingly placed two additional measures on the ballot that would help incumbents: extending term limits and moving elections from higher turnout even years to lower turnout odd years. A defeat for IRV would likely set back efforts in Washington State for years. A victory would provide momentum for IRV in neighboring King County and create the foundation for a statewide campaign.

IRV holds exciting promise in a range of states, with active efforts and promising conditions in states like Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Montana and Oregon. Here is a review of particularly timely opportunities and challenges.

Minnesota. After heading off a fierce legal attack that went all the way to the Minnesota Supreme Court and overcoming election administration hurdles, Minneapolis this November will use IRV for mayoral and city council elections and proportional voting for park board elections. Neighboring St. Paul will vote on a ballot measure to enact IRV, and Duluth will likely follow in 2010. Successful implementation in Minneapolis, ballot measure successes and state legislative progress in resolving election administration hurdles put IRV seriously in play for statewide offices.

California. IRV’s anchor in the United States has been annual election in November in San Francisco, which has among the most diverse legislatures in the country. Those elections will continue, albeit with potential new attacks on the system from downtown business leaders frustrated with IRV’s impact in lessening the impact of campaign contributions. Other key struggles are implementation in Oakland and Berkeley (see page 2 above) and adoption in Los Angeles, Long Beach and San Jose (see this article on San Jose).

Colorado. With its independent history, Colorado is a strong candidate for a statewide ballot measure. Aspen implemented IRV this spring, leading to record high voter turnout, a highly competitive mayor’s raced and defeats for both city council incumbents. The highly competitive elections made some politicians nervous, however, and the city council plans a November advisory measure on whether to repeal IRV. A successful defense will give support to Denver and Fort Collins leaders interested in putting IRV on the ballot in their cities.

Vermont. Burlington used IRV for mayor this March, with four strong candidates winning more than 10% of the vote. For the second time, Progressive Party candidate Bob Kiss won despite being outspent by his major party rivals – and now losing partisans are mounting a repeal effort that could be on the March 2010 ballot. Stakes are high, as Vermont remains one of the best chances to win IRV statewide in the short-term: in 2008, a bill to use IRV for congressional elections passed the legislature, but was vetoed by the governor.

Massachusetts. A broad reform coalition that includes third party leaders, electoral reformers and labor leaders has launched a petition drive to put IRV for statewide elections on the 2010 ballot. Voter frustration is high, with an independent candidate for governor already polling even with major party candidates. At the same time, groups grounded in communities of color and electoral reform in the city of Lowell are pushing forward with a ballot measure to implement the proportional voting system used for nearly seven decades in Cambridge.

North Carolina. North Carolina remains well-positioned to enact IRV for all primaries, including statewide, in 2012 or 2014 once more cities participate in pilots to use IRV in 2011. A new state law explicitly allows for such pilots, and the state board of elections has developed sensible means to implement IRV with the state’s voting equipment.

State victories inevitably will lead to discussion for all offices, including our top federal offices like president. These wins will allow all candidates to be considered for what they say and what they do, with the "spoiler" tag banished from our elections.