Nelda Holder wrote a nice commentary on some of the strange things occurring with IRV in North Carolina. Had no instant-runoff been employed, Cressie Thigpin would have won the 13-way race for NC Court of Appeals Justice. Now, however, the state board of elections is not expected to have the votes tallied until next week. That’s instant for you.
The instant runoff election for Buncombe County Superior Court was decided long ago. Marvin Pope won hands-down. He lost the three-way primary election to Kate Dreher and Alan Thornburg, but when another justice stepped down at the last minute, he was able to capture a seat when Dreher didn’t.
Professor of economics at Winston-Salem State, Zagros Madjd-Sadjadi, argued IRV is un-Constitutional. He argues if none of his three choices make the second round, he is disenfranchised.