Voting - Revision history

Mkehrt: /* Voting in elections */

2007-04-29T03:19:57Z

‎Voting in elections

Johnson6 at 05:26, 19 April 2007

2007-04-19T05:26:29Z

Ed at 23:19, 17 April 2007

2007-04-17T23:19:11Z

New page

[[KGB]]'s [[Voting]] rules represent a subtle and sublime [[science]]. The method of voting varies depending on context.

===Voting on motions===

Voting on [[motions]] is conducted by whomever is the [[Chair]] of the meeting. The generally approved method of voting is to request that [[members]] vote by undertaking some action or vocalization related to the subject matter of the motion.

There are certain problems with this method of voting. In particular, it can often be difficult to determine which side won when everyone in the room is flailing around. In that case, a request for a hand vote would be appropriate.

If the [[Chair]] is in a hurry, it is also possible to undertake a vote by acclamation, whereby the motion passes unless someone objects.

Finally, it is technically possible to do a roll call vote, though it is the [[Chair]]'s prerogative to declare a request for such a vote [[dilatory]].

===Voting in elections===

The voting methodology used in [[elections]] is significantly more complex than that used for [[motions]].

First, the color of elections is [[purple]].

Second, voting is conducted by secret ballot.

Third, the voting is administered by electron proctors.

Each [[:category:officers|officer]] position is elected separately. In each round of voting, the votes are tallied and then divided into "tiers" of candidates with the same number of votes. The tiers of candidates with the least number of votes are removed from the running until at least one third of the votes have been removed. At least one tier must always be removed. If there remains more than one candidate another round of the election is run. Vote, count, repeat.

An example is in order. Consider an election for [[President]] where the candidates are Abe, Barry, Chuck, Dave, and Ed. In the first round of voting, the breakdown is as follows:

{| cellpadding="5" border="1"
|-
| A
| 8
|-
| B
| 7
|-
| C
| 7
|-
| D
| 6
|-
| E
| 5
|-
|}

In the first round of voting, Ed is removed from the running first, being in the tier with the lowest number of votes. This is five of the total thirty-three, and is less than a third. Dave's tier is removed then, bringing the total removed votes to 11, which reaches the one third threshold. This leaves Abe, Barry, and Chuck for the next round.

{| cellpadding="5" border="1"
|-
| A
| 13
|-
| B
| 10
|-
| C
| 10
|-
|}

Here we have both Barry and Chuck in a single tier. Their total number of votes is greater than one third, but because at least one tier must always be removed, they are both removed from running, and Abe wins.

This illustrates a broken aspect of the current voting mechanism. In this example, Abe did not have a significant plurality of the votes, but won the election regardless. That is fairly broken.

Finally, in the case of an n-way tie, where n is the number of candidates remaining, an additional round will be run. If the next round results in a tie, the winner will be determined by random process.

Wasn't that fun!

@@ Line 65: / Line 65: @@
 Finally, in the case of an n-way tie, where n is the number of candidates remaining, an additional round will be run. If the next round results in a tie, the winner will be determined by random process.
-Voting in an election is guaranteed to terminate as at least one candidate is removed every round, except in the case that all candidates tie, where voting is decided by [[divine providence]].  This [[Byzantine]] voting procedure was devised after the previous Byzantine voting procedure was determined through experiment to be interminable.
+Voting in an election is guaranteed to terminate as at least one candidate is removed every round, except in the case that all candidates tie, where voting is decided by [[divine providence]].  This [[Byzantine]] voting procedure was devised by committee after the previous Byzantine voting procedure was determined through experiment to be interminable.
 Wasn't that fun!

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 Finally, it is technically possible to do a roll call vote, though it is the [[Chair]]'s prerogative to declare a request for such a vote [[dilatory]].
 ===Voting in elections===
@@ Line 61: / Line 63: @@
 Here we have both Barry and Chuck in a single tier. Their total number of votes is greater than one third, but because at least one tier must always be removed, they are both removed from running, and Abe wins.
-This illustrates a broken aspect of the current voting mechanism. In this example, Abe did not have a significant plurality of the votes, but won the election regardless. That is fairly broken.
+Finally, in the case of an n-way tie, where n is the number of candidates remaining, an additional round will be run. If the next round results in a tie, the winner will be determined by random process.
-Finally, in the case of an n-way tie, where n is the number of candidates remaining, an additional round will be run. If the next round results in a tie, the winner will be determined by random process.
+Voting in an election is guaranteed to terminate as at least one candidate is removed every round, except in the case that all candidates tie, where voting is decided by [[divine providence]].  This [[Byzantine]] voting procedure was devised after the previous Byzantine voting procedure was determined through experiment to be interminable.
 Wasn't that fun!