[EM] Condorcet Ties

[LAYTON Craig]

There are any number of ways to break ties.  While the simplest, and in some
ways the most intuitive way to break ties is random, you can get more
complex by adding other election methods.  For instance, conduct a Borda
count, or an IRV runoff.  There are alot to choose from.  I think Borda is
probably a good one.  A simpler method would be to do a plurality count (the
candidate with the most number 1 votes) - this is just as good, fairly easy
to count, and somewhat intuitive - that is, if two candidates are evenly
split between the electorate, which candidate is more voters' favourite?
Some Condorcet methods use a number of different strategies to decide
between candidates.  If they are pairwise tied, give them a Copeland score
(2 points for a head to head victory, 1 for a draw and none for a loss).  If
they're tied because you've used minmax or something and both candidates
largest defeats are equally small, then do a pairwise count between them.
The pairwise count between the candidates should always be the first tie
breaker, if it isn't the cause of the tie.

Basically, if you're satisfied that you have a very good election method,
then tie breakers are much of a muchness.  My suggestion would be - do a
pairwise count first.  If the candidates are still tied, then do a plurality
count (most number of number 1's).

-----Original Message-----
From: Moe St. EverGreen [mailto:evergreen at lovemail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, 20 February 2001 5:52
To: election-methods-list at eskimo.com
Subject: [EM] Condorcet Ties


What are the most acceptable forms of tie breaking
other than random, that might be used before random
in the case of Condorcet Voting.

I mean actual ties in voting preferences
and not merely failure to have a Condorcet approved 
candidate.

ps.
Also, I notice that the EM webpage does not list
Condorcet as a voting system, but rather lists Minmax as
the name of the system.. but with a different type of counting
(Minmax as described there goes for a minimum score 
rather than for a maximum score as described at 
http://electionmethods.org/)

Is there another name for Condorcet voting,
and is Condorcet voting currently considered the best option
for a single winner race?