[EM] Three Slot Methods

[fsimmons at pcc.edu]

I like Mike's discussion of three slot methods.  I could live with any of his suggestions including 3 slot 
MMPO, MTA, MCA, MDD,TR, etc.

Some other possibilities to consider:

I.  In 3 slot MMPO take into account the magnitude of each ballot opposition as well as the number of 
ballots with opposition;  In this version a ballot that rates X two slots above Y contributes twice as much 
opposition against Y by X as a ballot that rates X only one slot above Y.

Note that in this version the difference between the opposition of X against Y and the opposition of Y 
against X turns out to be the same as the difference in their respective range scores.

II.  Elect the candidate unrated on the fewest ballots.  In case of a tie, elect the tied candidate with the 
greatest number of top ratings.

Someone may object that the difference between top and middle only comes into play when there is a 
tie.  But remember that no matter the method, the only time your vote ever makes a difference is in 
making or breaking a tie.

III.  Smith//Range   I'll talk more about this later.  I used to like Smith//Approval better, but now I'm 
starting to change my mind.  There are descriptions of this method that do not require defining or 
detecting the Smith set.