Approval-Ranking Method (ARM)

[DEMOREP1 at aol.com]

Language has been put into more of a legal form.  The use of 0.5 votes will
guarantee that winners get majorities.
-----
Approval-Ranking Method (ARM) for single winner executive or judicial
offices. 27 Feb. 1997.

1. (a) Each elector may vote yes or no on each candidate and may rank their
first, second, etc. choices using 1, 2, etc..

2. (a) If an elector does not vote yes or no on a candidate, then the
candidate shall get a 0.5 yes vote and a 0.5 no vote. 
(b) If only 1 candidate gets a yes majority of all the votes cast, then such
candidate shall be elected.
(c) If 2 or more candidates get a yes majority of all the votes cast, then
step 3 shall be used.
(d) If no candidate gets a yes majority of all the votes cast, then the
legislative body shall fill the vacancy.
(e) If a candidate does not get a yes majority of all the votes cast, then
such candidate shall lose.

3. (a) The votes that rank each candidate ahead of the other candidate being
paired shall be totalled and compared.
(b) If neither of the 2 candidates being paired is ranked, then each
candidate shall receive 0.5 vote in such pairing.
(c) If 1 candidate beats each other candidate (or remaining candidate) in all
of his/her pairings, then he/she shall be elected.
(d) If a candidate is beat in all of his/her pairings, then he/she shall
lose.  The preceding sentence shall be repeated with the remaining
candidates.

4. (a) If 3 or more remaining candidates are tied in their pairings, then the
numerical rankings shall move up on the ballots having losing candidates.

[Example- Candidate Z is ranked "1" on a ballot but loses in step 2 or step
3. Remaining candidate X is ranked "2" on such ballot.  The "2" vote shall
become a "1" vote.]

(b) The remaining candidate with the lowest number of first choice votes
shall lose.
(c) Step 3 shall be repeated with the remaining candidates.

5. If other ties occur, then a lottery shall be used.
----
Attention- Step 4 only takes effect if step 3 does not produce a winner.