Is the conspiracy here that a GOP Secretary of State conspired with the DNC/DSCC to have McGrath win the primary? How dare I want every vote counted, thats really inconsiderate of me

We just gonna ignore the request for an independent source and go straight to you being she democracy martyr? Good conversation, as always.

If anything, Booker should be happy with the result of this primary. He came up short, but he built up a lot of good will in the state and nationally and doesn't have to risk a big loss to McConnell to ruin his momentum. I don't see him winning a statewide race anytime in the near future, but he could run for Yarmuth's district whenever he steps down.

We just gonna ignore the request for an independent source and go straight to you being she democracy martyr? Good conversation, as always. The Booker campaigns been on top of this and has been trying to get all the ballots counted. If all votes are counted and McGrath walks out the victor, democracy wins again...

I'm ready for IRV in primaries so we find new ways to complain when our favorite candidates don't win

I'm ready for IRV in primaries so we find new ways to complain when our favorite candidates don't win I want IRV for more than Primary...

IRV would probably make more of a direct impact for primaries. IRV's impact on general elections is more of a "we don't have to argue as much about spoiler effects" thing. Obviously the sample size isn't huge, but it seems difficult in most situations for somebody who isn't in 1st/2nd place in the first count to get into first by the end, so actually getting third parties elected through IRV might involve having them start off in 2nd place.

IRV would probably make more of a direct impact for primaries. IRV's impact on general elections is more of a "we don't have to argue as much about spoiler effects" thing. Obviously the sample size isn't huge, but it seems difficult in most situations for somebody who isn't in 1st/2nd place in the first count to get into first by the end, so actually getting third parties elected through IRV might involve having them start off in 2nd place. fwiw the counterpoint is that, with IRV established, there would be instances where voters would be more likely to choose a "third party" candidate as their first option, thereby increasing their chances of coming in second, but even that I feel like is a low probability, at least in the short term. This is actually one of the reasons why- even though I support IRV/RCV referenda and similar measures when they come up- I don't think it's actually a particularly meaningful reform (especially when you consider how completely awful ballot access can be in the first place)

IRV in primaries (and also in local elections) might bring out more candidates, which is a positive since some municipal elections just aren't usually interesting. The ballot access awfulness might be made worse by IRV if they don't let non-final results factor into qualifying by reaching a certain percent. Sorta like how California party qualifications are all voter reg since top two eliminates most opportunities for third parties to make it to November for a statewide election. Some form of deposit ala British elections where non-major party candidates can reach the ballot easier could be a good idea if the bar is set in a reasonable place. Some of the smaller parties are essentially clubs, so they would be in a better spot to just pick their nominees, drop some money, and then lose the deposit.

I'm liking the combo of a top-two IRV open primary with a regular general election (with the 2 candidates and possible write-ins.)

well, the map is eerily like a general election map (aside from Boyle/Christian/Warren)