A move to instant runoff voting would reduce costs and end state’s ‘archaic’ system | Opinion
Simplify primaries
The June primary season is another reminder that South Carolina must end its most archaic election practice – the runoff.
The state should employ instant runoff voting (IRV), (also called “ranked choice voting”), to eliminate dragging voters and volunteers back to the polls two weeks after primary elections.
Rather than cast a vote for one candidate, voters in IRV elections are able to submit a list of candidates ranked in order of preference.
SC voters stationed overseas already do this for primary elections.
Once all ballots are cast, if there is no candidate with a majority of first place votes, the candidate with the fewest first place votes is eliminated.
For any ballot that placed the eliminated candidate as the first choice, the ballot would then count toward that ballot’s second choice.
This process is continued until one candidate has garnered a majority of the ballots.
A simple internet search will yield ample resources explaining the process.
The result is one primary election day.
A handful of states both “red” and “blue” have employed IRV and the process has been well received.
IRV would save taxpayer money and eliminate the need for election volunteers having to work two separate election days.
Christopher Elliott, Columbia
The verdict is in
Our state leaders have weighed in on Trump’s guilty verdict, and done so in predictably partisan fashion, with members of the political majority using words like “political,” “injustice” and “biased.”
I must note that you do not hear Democrats using such terminology about the legal and ethical issues faced by Sen. Menendez of New Jersey, or Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas – and my fearless prediction is that you will not, regardless of how those cases may play out.
The GOP has long claimed to be the “party of law and order.” But when they disregard plain facts, demonstrated in court, or when they disrespect judges, prosecutors and juries based solely on their perceived politics, they create at least the appearance that their allegiance to law and order is highly selective indeed.
Our country operates on a two-party system.
If it is to continue to survive as a democracy, leaders such as Messrs. McMaster, Graham and Scott need to accept that not only Republican juries can deliver just verdicts, and that not only Democratic politicians can do wrong.
Otherwise, they tear yet another shred away from our all-too-tattered national unity.
Kevin McKinney, Camden
Who wins here?
Gov. Henry McMaster and state Attorney General Alan Wilson are likely very happy with a recent federal court ruling allowing South Carolina’s lawsuit to proceed against President Biden’s Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) student loan plan.
Likely not so happy are the approximately 2,500 borrowers in the state who would benefit under the plan.
Interestingly, the court ruling is based on the state government’s position that it would make less money on fees if the loans are forgiven.
In other words, it appears South Carolina would officially prefer that 2,500 of its residents remain indebted, solely so it can rake in the resulting revenue.
K.W. Busey, Hilton Head
Stop the texts
There should be a “Do Not Text” registry.
It’s bad enough being bombarded by political ads any time I try to watch local TV.
I can change the channel.
I cannot change my cell number.
It’s incessant.
Every time I vote, I research extensively. I do not need nor want to be solicited via text, even by candidates I would support.
I reply STOP. I block. That does no good.
They have multiple numbers.
They’re worse than scammers.
I just want to be left alone.
Gloria Fennessy, Hilton Head
