Isn’t that the definition of democracy?

Beyond that, the real reform would be to change the electoral system so that minor parties can use whatever votes they get and give it over to larger and larger parties, like they do in Australia.

That’s simpler but less optimal than allowing the voters themselves to pick a second choice.

Yes, ordinal balloting for executive positions would be desirable, though it would take several days to tabulate.

Unless we have computerized ballots.

One might consider replacing nomination by party convention with nomination by state legislatures (or nomination and election).

I fear that that will lead to nomination by seniority within the party and too much political quid pro quo. For it to work well, we’d need term limits for state legislatures and some way to ban state legislators from benefiting from their support of a candidate.

Those voters, not the rest of us.

Beyond that, the real reform would be to change the electoral system so that minor parties can use whatever votes they get and give it over to larger and larger parties, like they do in Australia.

Yes, ordinal balloting for executive positions would be desirable, though it would take several days to tabulate.

One might consider replacing nomination by party convention with nomination by state legislatures (or nomination and election).

Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Colorado each had a primary beginning in late April through May (one each week). These states wouldn’t always go first; the states would rotate each election cycle.

The rest of the country on a single Tuesday, either the last in May or the first in June would vote. There would be a candidate who would then focus all their energy on the general election.

I’d also compact the whole thing. Start the primaries in the summer.

You are right; the whole primary season is way too long. It should be two weeks long, no more nor less. That is long enough in today’s world, where a candidate does not have to go all around the states to give everyone a chance to hear them.

Beyond that, the real reform would be to change the electoral system so that minor parties can use whatever votes they get and give it over to larger and larger parties, like they do in Australia. This would make the large parties have to listen to the little ones and their interests, for if they do not, it could break them.