[EM] No evidence that IRV doesn't fail. Reasons why it must.

[James Gilmour]

Paul wrote:
> That would only be the case when every voter ranks all 
> candidates, and every voter has been told that who they rank 
> last matters. No voter I know wants to go to that much 
> trouble.

Meet one.
When voting in STV-PR elections I have frequently marked preferences against all 30 candidates
standing for 15 places.  My 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 are very positive choices.  My 6, 7, 8, 9 10 are also
positive, but with less conviction.  Then I turn my attention to 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25 and put in
there those I genuinely least want to see elected.  Then I go back to 11, 12, etc and make as
positive choices as I can.  I'll be honest and say that filling 20 to 25 has on occasion been almost
arbitrary, but I wanted them elected less than anyone above them and more than any of those I'd put
below them.
Who said democracy had to be easy?
James