Dick Woodbury, Bangor Daily News, ME - First, the finally elected candidate is chosen by a majority of voters.
Second,
there is no such thing as a spoiler candidate. If a candidate turns out
not to be electable, then he or she is eliminated in the counting
process. The candidate doesn’t “spoil” the result by taking away votes
from somebody else.
Third, voters can cast their vote for a
preferred candidate without the strategic dilemma of potentially helping
a candidate they oppose.
Fourth, by avoiding spoiler candidates
and strategic voting, the entire messaging of campaigns, media coverage
and public evaluation of candidates will focus on issues, vision,
experience and capabilities; not on polling and electability.
Fifth, elected candidates can serve with a credibility and mandate that can only be delivered by a majority of votes cast.
Sixth,
and perhaps most importantly, campaigns will be more civil and
respectful, as candidates avoid alienating their opponents’ supporters.
Rather than appealing to loyal supporters alone, a winning candidate
needs to appeal to a genuine majority of all voters, including those
whose first choice may be somebody else.
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