The "Turkey" problem (Re: [EM] 2-rank and N-rank Condorcet)

[Forest Simmons]

The suggestion was once made to use the 5 slot grade ballot (A,B,C,D,F)
for head-to-head comparisons of the candidates, since most United States
residents are used to that system of grading.

The missing grade (E) provides a nice default grade, not as bad as F, but
not good enough to give a "dark horse" candidate an inordinate advantage.

Forest


On Sun, 4 May 2003, Rob Lanphier wrote:

> Very interesting.  I guess my criticism was based on not fully
> understanding N-rank Condorcet myself.  I've gone back and read the
> discussion, and I'm much more intrigued.
>
> Rather than having a formula to determine the number of ranks, my sense
> is that N should be chosen based on what people are used to.  I'd
> recommend N=5, if only because it lends itself to this familiar format:
>
>        Strongly                    Strongly
>        disapprove     Neutral       approve
> Joan   (1)     (2)      (3)     (4)     (5)
> Jane   (1)     (2)      (3)     (4)     (5)
> Jack   (1)     (2)      (3)     (4)     (5)
>
> I have no idea what the theoretical implications of this particular
> choice would be.  I also don't know what the default option should be.
> Looking at it from a theoretical standpoint, I would prefer "0", but
> from a voter expectation perspective, I would almost assume that "3"
> would be the expected answer.  This question becomes particularly
> pressing when dealing with write-in candidates.
>
> Rob
>