[EM] Scale Votes

[Forest Simmons]

On Thu, 8 Mar 2001 DEMOREP1 at aol.com wrote (in part):

> ---
> D- The default vote is obviously minus 100.
> 
> > Votes   Percent Scale
> > 
> > 2 A       (1)          B (-100)
> > 1 B       (100)       A (-100)
> 
> 3 Voters
> 
> Same result.
> 

The respective averages for A and B are -32.7 and -33.3, reminding us of
the indispensability of the zero cutoff value. (The search for acceptable
candidates must be repeated.) 


> 
> As usual I note that it is possible to use scale votes but some elementary 
> education is necessary.

Excellent point!  Both the candidates and the voters need more education. 
I give partial credit to my students only for the psychological and
educational value, not because I think it would make any difference in
who gets the highest grade.

> 
> For marginally illiterate voters, there are problems with *any* *complex* 
> method. (taking note of the still recent Florida election for President-- 
> problems with voting by circa 2 percent of the voters using the now infamous 
> (and dead) butterfly ballot form and punchcard ballots (with their chad 
> types- hanging, swinging, pregnant, with holes).
> 

Important consideration!

Peace,

Forest