[EM] "Spokane" method

DEMOREP1 at aol.com DEMOREP1 at aol.com
Fri Mar 29 23:28:09 PST 1996


Adding last choices
a,b,c,d-e
a,b,c,d-e
a,b,c,d-e
b,a,c,d-e
c,b,a,d-e
c,b,a,d-e
d,c,e,b-a
e,d,c,b-a
e,d,c,b-a
e,d,c,b-a

Head to head winners
        Spok   Cond
a,b  3, 3     3, 7 *
a,c  4, 2     4, 6 *
a,d  6, 0     6, 4
a,e  0, 0     6, 4 *
b,c  4, 6
b,d  6, 4
b,e  0, 4     6, 4 *
c,d  6, 4
c,e  1, 3     7, 3 *
d,e  1, 3     7, 3 *

*= Condorcet head to head winner changes compared to Spokane

Condorcet summary
a >d,e
b,c> a
b,c>a>d,e 
b>d,e
c>d,e
c>b     c is Condorcet winner

Comments-- The Spokane example is set up to produce its result using the
Spokane method- 10 total votes using the 10 possible candidate combinations.
Note that only the b,c,d combinations have a total of 10 votes in the Spok
column above with the Condorcet result of them being c>b>d.
The Spokane method is approval voting in rotation for n-1 choices, n-2
choices, n-3 choices, etc. (n= number of candidates) and eliminating the
least approved in each round. (instant run offs) or another words- a form of
approval voting with instant runoffs.
The Spokane method most certainly does not conform with the plain Condorcet
method.
Truncated ballots would cause candidates to be eliminated earlier. 
Also, a Condorcet winner as the first choice on 6 ballots would be eliminated
in a Spokane method first round (a direct violation of majority rule) if each
of the other four candidates were mentioned 7 or more times on the 10 ballots
(40 Spokane positions (10 ballots x 4) minus 6 = 34 positions for the other
four candidates or an average of 8.5 positions).
If anything the Spokane method shows a fatal defect in approval voting if the
votes in approval voting are not exactly equal.



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