Walter In Denver

I don’t think either of the big parties really wants instant runoff elections. They like having the claim of the spoiler. The claim libertarians are the spoilers in all kinds of elections, and demonize them falsely assuming they would vote for the republican if there wasn’t a libertarian choice. They would rather just scare the populace then give them actual choices, vote for the lesser of two evils, yada yada yada. I will still always vote libertarian, simply because I don’t see any real difference between the two major parties and the libertarians most closely reflect my values. I expect the same can be said for the hardcore greens, if the green option is not on the ballot then they wouldn’t just vote for a democrat they more likely would just not vote. Just like I will not bother voting if there is not a libertarian candidate on the ballot or other significant reason for me to vote like a ballot initiative. (sorry for going off on a tangent)

That's not a tangent at all, it's precisely the point. The only explanation for the ballot access laws in this country is that the two big parties don't want the competition.