KSTP.com - 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS

Senate recount has some calling for instant runoff elections  

Less than 500 votes separate Republican Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken in the race for the U.S. Senate. An automatic recount is underway, but it could be more than a month before we know the results.

Now some are pushing for statewide instant runoff elections. That means instead of just voting for one candidate, voters would rank their candidates in order of preference. If not candidate receives a majority, the candidate with the least amount of votes is eliminated and their votes redistributed to the voters second choice.

"We would have likely had an outcome and wouldn't be looking at a recount," said Jeanne Massey who runs Fair Vote Minnesota.

"It simply means we get to a majority winner in a single election so we don't have to call voters back for a second run off which can be costly," said Massey.

Experts said it would give a louder voice to third party candidates and avoid scenarios like the past three gubernatorial races. In each of those races the winner had less than a majority vote.

"It's the smart way of voting because it simply allows us to keep up with the new political diversity in Minnesota," said Massey.

Instant runoffs are being used in a handful of cities, which will include Minneapolis starting in the next election. It would need legislative approval to be used on a statewide level. The idea has already been endorsed by the DFL, Independence and Green parties.

Click here to view news video.