Voting

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 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:

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.

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!