[EM] Proportional election method needed for the Czech Green party - Council elections

[Jonathan Lundell]

On Apr 26, 2010, at 4:45 PM, Juho wrote:

> Draft of a method:
> 
> - collect ranked votes
> - use Condorcet to determine P (Condorcet tends to elect a compromise candidate that all voters find reasonably good)
> - use STV (using the same ballots) to elect the group of P and VPs (some special rules are needed to guarantee that the already named P will not be eliminated in the process but will be elected)
> - use STV (using the same ballots) to elect members of the board (some special rules are needed to guarantee that the already named P and VPs will not be eliminated in the process but will be elected)
> 
> One could elect P and VPs also later. In that case one could elect them from the members of the (already existing) board. Otherwise the process would be similar.

This is a better approach, I think. Protecting already-elected members and preserving proportionality is a subtle problem, and I don't think there's a completely satisfactory solution available. It's defensible for filling vacancies (below), but when it can be avoided, it should be. (Unless someone has a great idea for this kind of countback.)

A burial strategy for P would have unfortunate effects for the STV election, is a possible problem.

> 
> If one needs to elect new members to the board to replace old ones one could use the old ballots + special rules that will not eliminate any of the sitting board members.
> 
> Does this work? Is this practical? Can this be considered to be understandable and well tested? Are there some strategic opportunities? Does this maintain proportionality as it should? Any conflicts with the expectations and needs of the Czech Green party?