We, the undersigned, request that the U.S. Congress consider the merits of employing optional “range voting” in national elections. Range voting is basically a method whereby the voter provides a rating for each and every candidate for a given office, which expresses the voter’s strength of approval for each candidate (e.g., on a scale range of 1 indicating no support to 10, maximum approval). Our current binary/all-or-nothing method of casting a single vote for just one among many candidates for an office is appropriate only in the case of a two candidate choice and is a factor in why third party candidates have virtually no chance of winning national elections, and worse, often serves only to produce problems such as “vote splitting” or “spoiler” effects that frustrate the wishes and intent of voters (as allegedly occurred in the U.S. Presidential elections of 1992 and 2000). While no voting system is perfect, optional range voting would permit voters, if they choose to use it, the opportunity to convey their preferences for all candidates for an office, in a more accurate and detailed manner than the current flawed system allows, and uses this information in deciding the winners.

Range voting (sometimes called “score” voting or other names) is basically a method whereby the voter provides a rating for each and every candidate for a given office, which expresses the voter’s strength of approval for each candidate (e.g., on a scale range of 1 indicating no support to 10, maximum approval).

It's very difficult for a major third party to emerge in our country because of the voting system we currently use. But with range voting, you could, for example, freely vote strong approval for an unusual third party candidate you like while at the same time provide secondary, moderate backup approval to one of the candidates of the other two major parties as a "fall back" second choice in case your first preference does not win. You wouldn't have to feel inhibited about casting your one and only vote for the candidate you really like the most, for fear that you might "waste" your vote on a candidate not likely to win and possibly "split the vote" and help allow another very undesirable candidate to win with a plurality. Even if your favorite candidate does not win, your support for that candidate is still made known without the danger of your having contributed to spoiler outcomes.

This recommendation is nonpartisan -- range voting could have potential benefits, depending on the situation, for conservatives, liberals, moderates or anyone else. Range voting or other similar alternative voting methods have been recommended in the past by Senator John McCain, President Obama, Ralph Nader and other political leaders. You can learn more about range voting via the internet.