Political Reform Program

Instant Runoff Voting is effective and easy to use. IRV is used not only in government elections but also by a number of organizations and universities. If you are interested in using IRV for elections at your campus, union, or organization, or if you just want to learn more about the voting system, the resources on this page will give you all the details on how IRV works, from the ballot to the final recount.

Flyers & Diagrams Explaining IRV

• A PDF that explains the benefits of IRV and where it is currently being used. If you want to let more people know about Instant Runoff Voting, print on the front and back of half sheets of paper.

• A flow chart representation of the IRV counting process.

Web Demonstrations and Videos of IRV

• This flash animation, created for San Francisco's Ranked-Choice Voting campaign, is a great introduction to the Instant Runoff process.
• This video was used in the "Yes on Three" campaign in Washington's Pierce County.
• FairVote used this flash animation during the recent IRV campaigns
• The Minneapolis Better Ballot Campaign created Elect-a-Date to help voters understand IRV.

PowerPoint Demonstration of IRV

• This PowerPoint presentation was presented to the San Diego Elections Task Force created by the City of San Diego to research various elections reforms, including Instant Runoff Voting.

Reports and Policy Papers

• Analysis of Los Angeles Runoff Elections -- The Los Angeles two-round runoff system is expensive, wasteful and produces low voter participation.
• Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) and the City of Los Angeles: "One Election, Not Two" -- IRV will increase voter participation, significantly decrease the cost of elections and elevate the discourse of political campaigns.
• Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) and Its Impact on Minorities -- An analysis of IRV elections in other cities shows that minorities overwhelmingly understand IRV and use the ranked ballots effectively. Voter turnout in minority neighborhoods has increased significantly.
• Summary of US jurisdictions that currently use (or are implementing) IRV
• How Wake County NC will run IRV elections WITHOUT buying new voting equipment or using a handcount

• This fun sample election demonstrates how IRV works in an election, from how voters would select candidates on a ballot to the counting and recounting process.

Voter Education and Outreach

• San Francisco Department of Elections Voter Education Plan for Implementing RCV
• Description and Analysis of San Francisco's Voter Education and Outreach

Exit Polls & Studies of San Francisco's Use of Ranked Choice Voting/Instant Runoff Voting

San Francisco has used instant runoff voting, or ranked choice voting, since 2004. Studies by San Francisco State University, Asian Law Caucus and others show voter's understand, like and efficiently use the system.

• Asian Law Center Exit Poll showing that Asian voters used ranked choice voting extensively in San Francisco's District 4 Supervisor Race in 2006
• An Assessment of Ranked-Choice Voting in the San Francisco 2004 Election by the Public Research Institute
• An Assessment of Ranked-Choice Voting in the San Francisco 2005 Election by the Public Research Institute
• Ranked Choice Voting and Voter Turnout in San Francisco Elections

• Evaluation of San Francisco's First Ranked Choice Voting Election, November 2004

• FairVote: The Center for Voting and Democracy provides a great deal of information on IRV, as well as other important voting reforms.
• Californians for Electoral Reform: A nonpartisan coalition that promotes voting reforms in California.
• DemoChoice: Try taking one of DemoChoice's IRV polls.