I think this whole "Better not vote for my favorite third party candidate because he'll lose anyway" mess would be solved with instant runoff voting. For those who are not familiar with the process, let me explain it. (I'll do my best, I have a pretty limited knowledge)

When you go to vote, you rate all of the candidates 1 through 4, 1 being your first choice, 4 being the last. When the votes are counted, they count all of the first choices. If there is a tie, whoever is in last place has all of their votes given to the voters' second choice. If there's still a tie, the new last place's votes are given to the voters' second choices, and so on. If I got any of this wrong, please correct me. (Anyone's also welcome to explain it in more detail)

Because of it, people aren't afraid to vote for the other parties. I know they do this in Australia, but I'm not sure where else.

Just thought I'd add this in, I think the whole system is rather interesting.

> Ste "Poli. Sci. major" phen

Ma"We could get rid of the electoral college with it, too"ry