[EM] Low tech p.r. election method 27 Dec 1999

[DEMOREP1 at aol.com]

A low tech (repeat, low tech) legislative body proportional representation 
election method.

Voter numbering of candidates (1, 2, etc.) with vote transfers may have to 
come later (with computer voting in large scale elections).

(1) The following shall be used for the election of N legislators of a 
legislative body in an area.
(2) If districts are used, then each district shall (a) be formed at least 
280 days before the election, (b) contain 99 to 101 percent of the total 
voters at the last regular state general election in the area divided by the 
number of districts and (c) be contiguous and square, as nearly as possible.
(3) Before the election starts, each candidate shall submit a public rank 
order list of all other candidates in the area.
(4) Each elector may vote for 1 candidate.

(5) A candidate having votes equal to or more than the total votes for all 
candidates divided by N (rounded up if a fraction) (“ratio”) shall be elected.
(6) The most votes over a ratio shall be transferred to the remaining unelecte
d candidate highest on the elected candidate’s rank order list.

(7) The candidate with the lowest number of votes in the area shall lose.
(8) The votes for such losing candidate shall be transferred to the remaining 
unelected candidate highest on the losing candidate’s rank order list.

(9) The preceding shall be repeated until the number of elected and remaining 
candidates equals the total number to be elected (with such remaining 
candidates being elected).

(10) Each legislator shall have 1 vote in the legislative body and its 
committees.

(11) Each legislator shall have a voting power in the legislative body and 
its committees equal to the final number of votes that he/she receives.

Option - use (5)-(6)-(10) OR (11) 

(2)(b) and (c) are not necessary if (11) if used.

There probably should be an odd number of legislators to avoid tie cases 
(especially in a smaller legislative body).

Obviously candidates of the same party (and in party coalitions) will 
presumably rank each other high on their rank order lists.

If a legislative body is not too large [circa 50 members ???], then no 
districts are needed, of course. 

The Hare Quota (Total Votes/Total Seats) is used to avoid the last wasted 
votes quota resulting if the Droop Quota (1+ (Total Votes/(Total Seats +1))) 
is used.