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Tom Crann
St. Paul, Minn.

Proponents make case for instant runoff voting in Minneapolis

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A mock IRV optical scan ballot
An example of what an optical scan, instant runoff ballot might look like. Voters rank the candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives a majority of 'first choice' votes, the one receiving the fewest of those votes is eliminated. That candidate's votes are then redistributed to the others according to the voter's preferences.
MPR Graphic/Steve Mullis

A lawsuit in Minneapolis is testing the city's plan to change the way it elects local officials. If instant runoff voting is upheld in Minneapolis, it could set a precedent for the rest of the state. The city's voters overwhelmingly approved instant runoff voting in 2006, but opponents have gone to court claiming it is unconstitutional.

The IRV opponents and supporters were in court today, and Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Nelson was there. He joined Tom Crann to explain IRV and what happened in court today.

Gallery
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A mock IRV optical scan ballot
An example of what an optical scan, instant runoff ballot might look like. Voters rank the candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives a majority of 'first choice' votes, the one receiving the fewest of those votes is eliminated. That candidate's votes are then redistributed to the others according to the voter's preferences.
MPR Graphic/Steve Mullis