Burlington to try instant runoff voting again

by The Associated Press // Published February 19, 2009 in Rutland Herald

AP article about Burlington's upcoming mayoral election, in which the city will use instant runoff voting for the second time.

BURLINGTON - For a second time, voters in Burlington will choose their mayor through instant run-off voting, by ranking their choices instead of selecting a single candidate.

If none receives a majority, the lowest vote getter is eliminated and voters' second choices are added to the totals.

Last year, Mayor Bob Kiss became the first Vermont executive elected via instant runoff voting, which was approved in Burlington in 2005.

A survey conducted by University of Vermont political students in March 2006 found that most voters favored the new system.

On March 3, they will get to try it again. The ballot will have five candidates for mayor. Voters will be asked to rank them and at a minimum chose a first choice.