Most voters’ answer to the first question (should we retain the incumbent) depend heavily on the second (who gets the spot). What’s the benefit of separating these? Why not reverse it (vote on best replacement excluding incumbent, then runoff between that winner and the incumbent), or combine it (as we do today, but with instant-runoff or other changes that are unstated but necessary for your proposal).
Most voters’ answer to the first question (should we retain the incumbent) depend heavily on the second (who gets the spot). What’s the benefit of separating these? Why not reverse it (vote on best replacement excluding incumbent, then runoff between that winner and the incumbent), or combine it (as we do today, but with instant-runoff or other changes that are unstated but necessary for your proposal).