Beyond Ranking: How Approval Voting Could Revolutionize Elections

Approval-IRV is a voting method that combines elements of traditional Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) and approval voting. Unlike IRV, which requires voters to rank all candidates, Approval-IRV allows voters to express equal preference for multiple candidates. This reduces the cognitive load on voters, making the voting process simpler and less prone to errors. In each round of Approval-IRV, voters 'approve' of their most-preferred candidates who haven't yet been eliminated, and the candidate with the fewest approvals is removed until a winner emerges. The key benefit is that Approval-IRV aims to make voting easier and more reflective of what voters truly want by allowing them to indicate indifference between candidates.

In elections with numerous candidates, Approval-IRV offers significant advantages over traditional ranking methods. It addresses the complexity of ranking many candidates, which can overwhelm voters and lead to errors. By allowing voters to approve of multiple candidates without strict ranking, Approval-IRV simplifies the process. This approach can increase voter participation and reduce invalid ballots. Voters can express their preferences without being forced to choose between candidates they are indifferent about, leading to a more accurate reflection of voter preferences. The advantages include less effort for voters, more expressive ballots, and better incentives to support one's favorite candidates without the need for complex rankings.

Approval-IRV maintains key characteristics of Instant Runoff Voting (IRV), such as independence of clones and respect for cohesive majorities. Independence of clones means that the presence of similar candidates (clones) on the ballot should not unduly influence the election outcome. Respect for cohesive majorities ensures that the preferences of large, unified groups of voters are given due weight. These properties are crucial for ensuring fairness and representativeness in elections. By preserving these characteristics, Approval-IRV provides a more reliable and trustworthy way to reflect the will of the electorate, preventing manipulation and ensuring that the outcome reflects the collective will.

Théo Delemazure and Dominik Peters are researchers who have contributed to the development and understanding of Approval-IRV. Their work demonstrates that Approval-IRV uniquely extends Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) to accommodate weak orders while preserving its core axiomatic properties. Their research provides the framework for the potential of Approval-IRV as a simpler, more expressive, and potentially fairer voting method. By analyzing its axiomatic properties, they offer a robust theoretical foundation for the method, validating its principles and showcasing its potential for wider adoption.

Approval-IRV distinguishes itself from methods like Split-IRV, where votes are divided equally among top choices. Approval-IRV allows voters to 'approve' of their preferred candidates in each round, with the candidate receiving the fewest approvals being eliminated until a winner is determined. Approval-IRV also serves as a compromise between Ranked Choice Voting and Approval Voting. Its unique features include allowing voters to express indifference, reducing cognitive load, and potentially leading to outcomes that better align with the majority's wishes. The method provides a more user-friendly and representative election system by enabling voters to express their genuine preferences without the burden of strict rankings, marking an important step toward simpler, more expressive voting systems.