This fall, Mecklenburg County voters will see something new on their general election ballot: Instant Runoff Voting. In August, Judge James A. Wynn Jr. resigned from the NC Court of Appeals to accept an appointment to the Fourth U.S. Court of Appeals. Because of the timing of the resignation, the IRV method will be used for this race only.

Here’s how it works:

Voters select their first choice as usual, and may pick a second and third choice. If a candidate gets enough first-choice votes to win more than 50 percent of votes cast, he/she is the winner and no further counting is necessary. If no candidate receives 50 percent of the first choice votes, the top two candidates move to the instant runoff. The winner is determined by adding the highest ranked second- or third-choice vote to his/her initial vote totals. The candidate with the most votes in the second round wins the election. If a voter’s first choice candidate is not in the runoff, a second choice vote or third choice vote for either of the two runoff candidates will be counted. Voting for your favorite candidate in all three columns will not increase that candidate’s chances of winning.

Early Voting:

The Mecklenburg County Board of Elections encourages everyone to take advantage of Early Voting again this year. It runs from October 14 to October 30. There are 16 early voting locations scattered all over the County. View the list, along with days and times at the Board of Elections website: www.meckboe.org

The BOE is partnering again this year with the Public Service & Information Department to provide real-time reports to let voters know which locations have the shortest lines. Those reports will be filed on Twitter @meckcounty #earlyvote and at Facebook @Mecklenburg County. Early voters are encouraged to follow/friend those names in advance so they are ready to receive the reports.

Media contact: Roger W. Kortekaas at 704-579-0258 or Roger.Kortekaas@MecklenburbCountyNC.gov