The concept of instant runoff elections allows people to designate their first, second and third, etc. choices of candidates for political office. If no candidate achieves a majority of votes using only the first choices, the least popular candidate is dropped. Then those who voted that candidate as first choice would have their second choice elevated to first choice, and the votes would be counted again. The process would continue until a candidate achieves a majority. Instant runoff elections would prevent the situation of an unpopular candidate being elected to office, due to the presence of a popular third party. This would help to relieve government gridlock due to a two party system and reduce the necessity of mitigating unwise policies initiated by unpopular politicians.
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