In a recent race, two candidates faced off. One was the incumbent with years on the job and much formal training. The other was completely unqualified. Moreover, the challenger failed to respond to the Albuquerque Journal, effectively hiding two DWIs, a lie of omission, at best..

How did that candidate get one third of the vote? What is wrong with people? Do they like the surname or gender or position on the ballot of the challenger or dislike those of the far-better-qualified incumbent? — who was really, the ONLY qualified candidate.

A potential disaster was avoided, in no thanks to thousands of ignorant voters. Not that it would have been the first such blunder.

Inform yourself before you vote. If you know little or nothing about a race, don’t vote.

Five candidates ran in the Democratic primary for Governor. The “winner” got roughly 35 percent of the vote (and that vote was a small percentage of regular voters — only 10% voting were under 35 years of age). More people didn’t vote. More people voted for someone other than the “winner.” Sincere congratulations to the winner, BUT who really won?

DEMAND Instant Run-off Voting. The Democratic Party should go on record supporting IRV and demanding it for our next primary, at the very least. Accept no excuses, no stalling tactics. IVV plus None of the Above. We might have a different and stronger candidate in such a case.

IRV would also allow more people to run without being spoilers, as in one judicial race were the “loser” and the very distant 3rd place had more votes than the “winner.” That 3rd place candidate really does seem to be a spoiler, but we’ll never know how many of his voters would have gone to the other candidates, as opposed to None of the Above.

I guarantee that IRV plus None of the Above would increase voter turnout and shake up complacent incumbents. DEMAND IT NOW!