My answer to your question "Is there a simpler method that factors allof the strategy away from the rankings or ratings of the candidates?" is yes. Voters can rank and also Approve whichever candidates they please, not even neccessarily Approving the candidate they rank as number1.
The method is to have an IRV-like count, except that the candidates who are in turn eliminated are those who are the least Approved.
For example, in a 3 candidate race in which you doubt that Favourite can beat Worst in a runoff, you might number the candidates 1. Favourite 2. Middle 3. Worst , but only Approve Middle .
Chris Benham
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