[EM] a majority rule definition based on the Smith set

[Paul Kislanko]

We're mixing terms and contexts again.

One can define majority to include all eligible voters, in which case it is
entirely possible that no alternative achieves a majority because fewer than
50 % of elegible voters participate in the election. No matter what method
is used to pick the selection of a majority of participants, it cannot be
said that the winner has been a elected by a majority.

Let's move on. 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: election-methods-electorama.com-bounces at electorama.com 
> [mailto:election-methods-electorama.com-bounces at electorama.com
] On Behalf Of Daniel Bishop
> Sent: Monday, April 04, 2005 5:28 PM
> To: election-methods at electorama.com
> Subject: Re: [EM] a majority rule definition based on the Smith set
> 
> Kevin Venzke wrote:
> 
> >Hi James,
> >
> > --- James Green-Armytage <jarmyta at antioch-college.edu> a écrit : 
> >  
> >
> >>	Another accepted use is "more than half of the voters 
> who express a
> >>preference between two options/candidates". That's the definition I
> >>choose. I realize that you don't agree with it, but at 
> least my reasoning
> >>is made clear to you. One benefit of this kind of 
> definition is that it
> >>assures that a batch of spoiled ballots cannot rob a defeat 
> of "majority"
> >>status.
> >>http://wiki.electorama.com/wiki/Neutrality_of_Spoiled_Ballots
> >>    
> >>
> >
> >Do you mean "spoiled" in the sense meant in that article? 
> Because I don't
> >think there is a danger that many voters will vote everyone 
> equal, and even
> >if they do, I don't think it is a big deal if this breaks 
> some majorities.
> >
> It's actually pretty common for voters to cast blank ballots, 
> especially 
> if there are many elections on the same day.  The recent 
> elections here 
> at TAMU (http://vote.tamu.edu/resources/2005A/results.htm) are an 
> example of this.  So were the 2004 U.S. elections: There were quite a 
> few voters who voted for President but cast a blank ballot in their 
> House race.
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