JoeB,
The version the US picked is quite confusing...
STV (Single Vote Transfer) is far simpler for voters..
This is a sample from Ireland.
View attachment 689963
Voting is only ONE day...
There is multiple counts as the lowest candidates get eliminated and there next choice is used..
Here is a simple 3 people going for one seat (president):
View attachment 689965
Brian initially led with most 1st counts...(Term is 'topped the poll).
Austin was the lowest after the first count, he was eliminated.
When his next preference (i.e. 2nd choice) was shared.
Mary was much more popular among Austin voters than Brian, Mary got 205k votes while Brian only got 37k.
Mary was elected (turned out to be a very fine President, I was supporting Brian)
So Austin voters were allowed to vote for Austin without wasting their vote.