US Election Rules Changed for 2012

[Ⓐnarchy in the ☭☭☭P!]

Okay, here is the scenario:

US Election law is (somehow) changed. Now, ALL elections (State legislature and congress included) are determined in run-off elections between the top two candidates. This results in the Democrats and Republicans losing quite a bit of influence (No longer is voting third party pointless, as the top two cannot be poisoned by people switching parties).

The top 8 US Political parties are now on somewhat equal footing (Well, voters now affiliate based on ideology rather than "lesser evil", so they aren't quite "equal"). The Republicans are now slightly more towards the centre, as are the Democrats (some far-right Republicans, for example, went for the Libertarian and Constitution parties, while some far-left Democrats went for the Green Party among others).

Predictions, maps etc?

[sentinel]

The result of the reforms you mentioned would be the strengthening of the two party system. The means to the end that you have in mind would be a proportional system not single member districts with a run off between the top two.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

I don't this as strengthening third parties.  What it might do is increase the chance that someone will pull a Crist, Lieberman, and/or Murkowski.

[Bacon King]

I don't this as strengthening third parties.  What it might do is increase the chance that someone will pull a Crist, Lieberman, and/or Murkowski.

^^^

I was gonna say this but I see it's already been said.

The only change I see is established politicos running as independents more often.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

California joined Washington in doing this, but I doubt that it'll do much to help minor parties.

[Elyski]

2 independents and 1 minor party in the house, besides that it is all Democratic or Republican.