Ranked choice means it's easier for voters, but when it's not available voters are capable of understanding the scenario you describe and voting accordingly.

Many times I haven't voted for my preferred candidate and instead voted for the candidate most likely to defeat the candidate I couldn't stomach getting into power. Here in Canada we call it voting strategically and if you look at the polling data it definitely happened last election (and in many others in the past).

I'd like to have ranked choice, but it's insane to say it's not a democracy without it. But multiple rounds of voting (like France has) is better than ranked choice as it gives a clear choice to voters in the final round. But having multiple voting rounds is expensive and people might prefer to just vote once and have it done with, so ranked choice may be preferable for many people.

Dunno, the most recent example was Romania. In the first round, 40% voted for the far right cunt and all the others had 20% or less. In the second round where there were only 2 candidates left, Nicușor Dan won with 53% and the far right cunt got 46%. So.. Z doesn't always win.

Was just as surprised as you are. And yeah, it really should be. Shame