Page:The Wisconsin idea (IA cu31924032449252).pdf/121

 25 voters who voted for Adams for first choice voted for Brown for second choic. Ten of them, however, voted for White as their second choice, while 15 of them voted for Black as their second choice. These 15 second choice votes are not counted for the reason that they were being counted for Adams while he was still in the race, and, before Adams was out of the race, Black was out of it. These voters simply voted for two losers. This explains why, in the above showing between Brown and White their total vote is only 145, while there were 160 votes cast in all. But 15 of these votes were cast for Adams and Black, both of whom were low men—two losers.

"This system does not always insure a majority of all votes cast but it does insure the nomination of a candidate who represents the majority sentiment of the party as regards party principles. Let us illustrate by showing what can happen under the present law, where a first choice alone counts and the high man is nominated, all of the rest being 'eliminated.' To begin with, remember that the present primary is, in effect, a party convention to which all party voters are delegates entitled to one vote on the only 'roll call' allowed. The man who receives the highest vote on this 'first ballot' (the primary vote) is the nominee of the party.

"Let us suppose there were three tariff reform republican candidates and one stand-pat republican candidate in a congressional district… and 3000 stand-pat republicans. At the primary the result could reasonably be supposed to be as follows:—