You have mentioned the cheating of opposing party members voting for the weakest candidates in their opposition. This trend is likely to get bigger in the USA with your "open" system.

Circa 1990, I tried to introduce RCV in our internal party election. I could not believe the opposition to this idea--from well educated people. They just didn't understand it--or so they say.

I'm not in politics anymore, but from what I can glean from the media, all the Canadian political parties use RCV in their internal elections.

Circa 2000, Canadian elections required some ID to receive a ballot. There was some backlash. But after three election cycles, people got used to bringing their ID to the voting station. It is not an issue anymore.

RCV is superior to a plurality vote. It will give fringe parties more exposure, which could eventually supplant the main parties. But it will take about three election cycles for the public to fully understand this new ballot. There will be vested interests who will not want this system.

But I'm looking beyond RCV to really move democracy forward.