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An Analysis of Various Election Methods

An anonymous reader writes "David Cobb talked about Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) as the best choice in electoral methods in his interview here, but is it really? The folks over at electionmethods.org seem to think it isn't. They favor Condorcet voting, which is another ranking style method using simulated one on one elections. Here is an evaluation of various methods, including IRV and Condorcet."

6 of 646 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Approval voting and security (non-repudiability by siriuskase · · Score: 3, Funny

    What if the voter marks the wrong number? the ballot would be tossed just because someone can't count. This might be trivial, but requiring the voter to count does add a level of complexity that could eliminate some voters. Counting is more complicated than choosing amongst options. Not all voters have a normal preschool education..

    --
    If you must moderate, please moderate as irrelevent, not something bad, because I'm sure someone will find this interest
  2. Re:Must explain in one sentence or less by TPIRman · · Score: 4, Funny

    I agree, citizens won't tolerate any complications in their voting system. Especially Americans, who are just too accustomed to the straightforward, ultra-simple, intuitive U.S. electoral college to comprehend anything complex.

  3. Re:Must explain in one sentence or less by NegativeOneUserID · · Score: 4, Funny
    Much as we need a better system, it won't catch on if it can't be explained in one simple sentence.
    I can do it in four....

    1) Eenie meenie miney moe.
    2) Catch a tiger by the toe.
    3) If he squeals, let him go.
    4) Eenie meenie miney moe.

    Although I do feel this is the better system, you are probably right in saying the average american would find this confusing.
  4. Re:Approval voting and security (non-repudiability by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    immediately after you've marked your vote on the slip it'll be placed on a lamination machine. after that it's pretty hard to tamper with it.

  5. Re:Must explain in one sentence or less by mikeophile · · Score: 4, Funny

    Still though, this line really gives me the giggles.

    The rules for determining the winner would be slightly more complicated than they are now, but they would be based on elementary mathematics and should be understandable by virtually anyone old enough to vote.

    Oh how I wished I lived in this man's world.

  6. Re:Must explain in one sentence or less by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    As bizarre as it may seem, there are people out there who would choose A over B, B over C, and C over A.
    For such people, simple linear ranking won't work.


    These people are called "women."