Letters: Instant-runoff voting

Re “Debating the top-two system,” Column, June 18

George Skelton says it’s “screwy” to redo an election in November if one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote in the primary. But low turnout raises problems with skipping the runoff.

Instead, eliminate the primary, not the November election. Allow all candidates to run in November, with voters marking their first, second, third and fourth choices. Count everyone’s first choice, eliminate the candidate with the fewest votes and apply those voters’ second choice. Repeat until one candidate has a majority.

The result? One election with a winner preferred by a majority of voters, plus taxpayer savings and reduced special-interest influence. The bonus? Independent and third-party candidates have a real chance because there is no such thing as a wasted vote.

Randall Gellens

San Diego

ALSO:

Letters: Abortion, in China and here

Letters: Don’t let the Edge scar Malibu

Letters: Republicans and the insurance mandate