Hi Kininvie, thanks for your comment.
STV only invokes endless mathematical permutations and tensions if you allow it to. Your job as a campaigner (I get the impression that’s what you are from your comment – apologies if not) is exactly the same as before: to persuade people to vote for your party or candidate. People can make their own mind up about transfers.
And yes people can choose second and third preferences (if they wish. It’s not compulsory) because we do it all the time in life. Our top five films in order, or food, or songs, or whatever. And voters are increasingly getting used to STV here for councils, trade unions etc, as they are in other countries already. Indeed, I bet most people could probably name their second or third favourite political parties already even in non-STV contests (how else would we manage tactical voting or London mayoral elections?).
If it’s a pain in the arse for parties, that’s not really a consideration when it is about empowering voters. I wonder if STV’s shifting of power from parties to voters is part of why you don’t like it.