Exit Poll Data
Exit polls have been done in several cities where voters used instant runoff voting (IRV) for the first time. Examples include:
- San Francisco, California First used in November 2004 in elections for city council
- Burlington, Vermont: First used in March 2006 in elections for mayor
- Takoma Park, Maryland: First used in January 2007 in electing a city council vacancy
- Cary, North Carolina: Used in October 2007 in a pilot program for elections for city council and mayor
- Hendersonville, North Carolina: First used in November 2007 in a pilot program in elections for city council, with another exit poll after it was used again in 2009.
- Minneapolis, Minnesota: First used in November 2009 in elections for mayor, city council and other offices.
- Portland, Maine: First used in November 2011 in an election for mayor
The following chart provides a summary of exit surveys showing that voters both understand and like instant runoff voting by overwhelming numbers.
| Jurisdiction | Understand IRV well or fairly well | Prefer IRV to city’s prior system2 |
Knew how to rank candidates before coming to vote |
| San Francisco1 |
87% | 82% |
69% |
| Burlington |
89%3 | 78% | 90% |
| Takoma Park |
88% |
89%4 |
84% |
| Cary |
95% | 72% |
76% |
| Hendersonville |
86% |
71% | 65% |
- Subsequent surveys in San Francisco after IRV elections in 2005 showed continued high levels of support
- Some voters had no opinion. Percentages of those expressing support for IRV over old system were: San Francisco (61%), Burlington (63%), Takoma Park (89%), Cary (68%) and Hendersonville (67%).
- Measures voters who did not find the ballot confusing
- 76% said would like IRV for all local and state elections; an additional 13% support it for local elections
2005 Exit Poll
Burlington, VT
2006 Exit Poll
Takoma Park, MD
2007 Exit Poll
Cary and Hendersonville, NC
2007 Cary, NC Exit Poll Press Release
2007 Hendersonville, NC Exit Poll Press Release
2009 Hendersonville, NC Exit Poll
Minneapolis, MN
2009 Exit Poll
Burlington, VT
2006 Exit Poll
Takoma Park, MD
2007 Exit Poll
Cary and Hendersonville, NC
2007 Cary, NC Exit Poll Press Release
2007 Hendersonville, NC Exit Poll Press Release
2009 Hendersonville, NC Exit Poll
Minneapolis, MN
2009 Exit Poll
Portland, ME