[EM] Fw: Steve's reply: IRV et al v. EPR

[Kristofer Munsterhjelm]

On 07/17/2018 05:56 PM, Faran, James wrote:
> Consider the following possibility. 7 seats to be filled, 70 voters, 36 
> of which rate candidate A as Excellent, the greatest number of Excellent 
> ratings. Does candidate A then get at least 36 of 70 votes on the 
> council?  In that case, candidate A has complete control over any 
> council action requiring a simple majority. The other 34 voters do not 
> have their vote count then as regards such council actions.

That is true for unweighted methods as well. If there are enough seats 
on the council, then a coalition having a majority of top preferences 
get a majority of the council power if that coalition or party fields 
enough candidates.

Suppose there are 7 seats to be filled and 70 voters. The Droop quota is 
8.75. To get four seats (a majority of the council), a coalition needs 
the support of more than 8.75*4=35 voters. If 36 voters rank A1=A2=A3=A4 
ahead of everybody else, then any method passing Droop proportionality 
must elect these four to the council.

One could say that a party or coalition can never be as united as a 
single candidate is, however; for instance, a party might have internal 
factions with each wing demanding to have one of the four A-candidates. 
In that respect, an unweighted system spreads the power more than a 
weighted system does.