[EM] Random and reproductible tie-breaks

[Stéphane Rouillon]

Hi,

for an anti-fraud purpose, the capacity to repeat the counting operation is 
a must.
Hence I recommand to use a reproductible random procedure to break ties.
This allows the use of different computers to reproduce the counting
operation, while always obtaining the same result despite ties.

>From: "Raph Frank" <raphfrk at gmail.com>
>To: election-methods at electorama.com
>Subject: Re: [EM] Question on RCV/IRV multi-seat method used in Minneapolis
>Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2008 22:35:44 +0100
>
>On Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 8:19 PM, Jonathan Lundell <jlundell at pobox.com> 
>wrote:
> > The common approach, I think, is to sequentially number the ballots 
>during
> > the initial count so that the count is repeatable.
>
>I don't think they do that in Ireland.
>
> > It's also worth noting that, for all practical purposes, most if not all
> > voting methods have a random element (or at least a means outside the 
>actual
> > counting rules) for breaking ties, and this must be taking into account
> > during recounts.
>
>True but they are very rare.  Also, multiple hand recounts are
>semi-random anyway.
>----
>Election-Methods mailing list - see http://electorama.com/em for list info