Understanding Instant Runoff Voting

Question: What is Instant Runoff Voting (IRV)?

Answer: Instant Runoff Voting allows the voter to not only pick a candidate for a particular office, but the voter can also pick a second choice and a third choice for the office.

If no candidate gets 50% of the votes casts, the second and third place votes will be considered for the top voter after all the votes have been tallied to get a winner.

Question: Why is the State of NC implementing this process?
Answer: This system is designed to prevent costly runoff elections such as we saw earlier this year with Elaine Marshall and Cal Cunningham. Both candidates were vying for the US Senate seat and neither won a majority of the vote.

So in an attempt to eliminate the cost factor of having a runoff and the need to have voters return to the polls to make a selection, the State is asking voters to choose /pick a second and third choice.

Important to Know: NOW, you need to understand this process ONLY APPLIES to the Court of Appeals - Judges selections. NOT the entire ballot.

The process is new to the majority of us in the State and it's true getting the message out was slow in coming and we're hoping this small explanation helps with some of your questions. If you understand the process please take the time to explain it to our elders and others who may not. Together we can work it out and spread the word. Make a way for three a day - to share this word - It's a Community Commitment Challenge.