A North Dakota initiative petition has been submitted. It would establish a top-four system. The general election would include ranked choice voting, but the primary would not. See this story.
There would be no party nominees if this initiative passed and took effect (except for President), but the initiative backers did not come up with any new method to define “political party”. Current law says a party remains on the ballot if it polls 5% for Governor, President, Secretary of State, or Attorney General. But under this initiative, there would be no party showing for any of those offices except President.
North Dakota doesn’t have party registration, and already has an open primary. Any voter is free to choose any party’s primary ballot.
They should get rid of the Top Four part and just do Ranked Choice Voting.
Andy, yes, but that would not be very good either.
RCV is not in effect in most places and difficult to get into effect.
Whereas Top Ten can make use of the system as it is.
Just get the 4 significant third parties on all ballots.
It sounds difficult, but if the parties explain that once accomplished,
ALL the parties will be viable, competitive to possibly win.
We KNOW the dems and reps will get on all ballots. They always do.
So if the four get on all ballots, the polling will level out for all.
To about: Green 27%, Constitution 27%, dem 17%, rep 17%, Libertarian 13%, Reform x variable %, Independents x variable %.
So if the debate threshold is 15%, 5 parties will probably get in. The sixth, Libertarian will be close.
Independents are very variable. Maybe get in debates, maybe not.
Maybe the CPD could be persuade4d to lower the % to maybe 12%.
Maybe the pending court case involving CPD will have a favorable ruling and remedy.
I am waiting on that case and the Pittsburgh Shooter case.