What are the key elements that assure both majority rule and minority representation?
The goal of Choice Voting, in principle, is to assure that nearly every voter can elect at least one representative who genuinely represents that voter. Although the voter ranks several candidates to ensure that one preferred representative wins, the essence of Choice Voting is that each voter has one net vote. This way, the alternate rankings are contingency preferences, in case the favorite has already won or lost. Choice voting allows groups of like-minded voters to choose the strongest candidate among a group of preferred candidates. In effect, the rankings on the ballots allow the voters to group themselves into constituencies. It should not be the majority’s right to decide who gets to have a voice on the representative body. Representation is for everybody, not just a majority. Do ranking alternate candidates hurt the chances of my favorite candidate? No. Ranking additional choices cannot hurt your favorite candidate. These are just contingency choices, in case your favorite can
