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Election Law

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Two Cheers For Instant Runoff Voting, Michael Lewyn Dec 2011

Two Cheers For Instant Runoff Voting, Michael Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

"Instant runoff voting" (IRV) is a system that allows voters to rank their choices in a multicandidate election. Thus, the second-choice voters of less successful candidates are redistributed to the front-runners. The purpose of this system is to prevent candidates opposed by a majority of voters from winning. For example, if candidates A and B each have 40 percent of the vote and candidate C has 20 percent, the front-runner supported by the majority of C's supporters is the true "majority choice" and will win under IRV. The purpose of this article is to critically examine the arguments for and …


When Is Cumulative Voting Preferable To Single-Member Districting?, Michael E Lewyn Apr 1995

When Is Cumulative Voting Preferable To Single-Member Districting?, Michael E Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

Cumulative voting is most appropriate in small towns, nonpartisan elections, and jurisdictions in which voters know whether they are in the majority. By contrast, single-member districts are preferable to cumulative voting in big cities, state or federal elections, partisan elections, and elections in which the racial or partisan balance between factions is either close or is unknown to most voters.


How Radical Is Lani Guinier? , Michael E Lewyn Nov 1994

How Radical Is Lani Guinier? , Michael E Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

In 1993, Lani Guinier was nominated to head the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. Her nomination was withdrawn after she was accused of being too liberal, if not radical, on issues relating to voting rights law. This article discusses her views, and finds that her writings were not clear enough to either support or debunk the accusations of radicalism.


How To Limit Gerrymandering, Michael E Lewyn Jul 1993

How To Limit Gerrymandering, Michael E Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

An extensive discussion of constitutional issues related to partisan gerrymandering.