Ranked choice appeals to people. Like I said, I don't know why, but there is a reason it has been adopted in dozens locations in the US and approval has been adopted in just two cities, and is currently only used in one. I don't think it is because the people pushing for change are uneducated.
If people will accept approval voting for primaries, but want more than two choices in the general, that is what we need to do for now. Because even if sub-optimal candidates then regularly win the general, they're still going to be better qualified than at least half the politicans elected today.
it's extremely irrational to have more than two choices in the runoff. you can just call the first round the general if you like. there are no primaries.
there's no evidence of this that I've ever seen. it may be more appealing to voting reform activists because they tend to be idealistic and prioritize the feeling of expressing a ranked preference, whereas the vast majority of voters would prefer the simplicity of approval voting