Final answer:
The passage emphasizes that Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) is designed to ensure a candidate is elected by a majority, contrasting the first past the post system that allows plurality victories, often resulting in winners without majority support.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) -
One of the key points in the passage is that Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) aims to ensure that a candidate is elected by a majority of voters. IRV allows voters to rank candidates by preference which is a significant contrast to the traditional first past the post system where a candidate can win with just a plurality of votes. In the U.S., this system has been a subject of criticism especially when elections result in a candidate winning without a majority, as seen in the presidential races of 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2016. IRV is an effort to move towards a more representative electoral process and has been adopted in places like the Twin Cities for local elections. It addresses some of the issues with the current first past the post system.
Problems with First Past the Post -
The "first past the post" system can lead to candidates winning without a majority, which potentially undermines the principle that the elected should reflect the preference of the majority. This system also faced heavy scrutiny during the 2000 U.S. presidential race where the outcome was decided by a very close vote in Florida and ultimately the Supreme Court's decision to halt the recount. Movements for electoral reform have suggested alternatives, but significant changes to the electoral process have yet to gain substantial traction.