Our voting system has serious problems. Though there certainly exists no quick fix, there is a system that has already been used successfully around the globe in everything from the Academy Awards to mayoral elections to presidential elections.

This system is instant runoff voting. It works like so:

The ballot contains all of the normal candidates, but instead of the voter
just choosing a single favorite candidate, the voter ranks all of the
candidates. Then, should no single candidate receive the majority, instead of another election being held, lower choices are used to break the tie. The votes of the lowest vote-getter are transferred to the second choice of those ballots. If this does not break the tie, the same process is used with the third choice (more specifics at instantrunoff.com).

There are many advantages to this system. These include:

* No more "spoiler" effect. Take the 2000 election. With instant runoff, a Nader supporter, but someone who also preferred Gore to Bush, could vote as following: Rank Nader No. 1 and Gore 2. When Nader receives the minority of votes, this voter's second choice would contribute its vote to Gore.

* No more party duopoly. By the ranking system, voters can vote their
conscience but know that their vote will still make a difference.

* Saved money. With instant runoff, expensive second elections/runoffs are eliminated.