Meeker's disasterous attempt at counting (Now featuring accurate numbers!)

[Meeker]

If voting were to stop right now, the elected Senators would be:

Colin Wixted
EarlAW
Afleitch
Bacon King
Rockefeller Republican

This will be updated

[Meeker]

EarlAW
Bacon King
Hashemite
Lewis Trondheim
Rockefeller Republican

Last vote included in count: HappyWarrior

[Hatman 🍁]

I think I did something wrong. Any help please?

1         2nd prefs   3rd prefs
Lewis      3
Afleitch   1   2
Bacon King   2
Rocky      4   ELECTED
Earl      3
Colin      2
Hashemite   1    1      1
Sensei      1   3
CultureKing   1   ELIMINATED
Jake      1   1

2nd count
Lewis      4   ELECTED
Afleitch   1
Bacon King   2
Earl      3
Colin      2
Hashemite   1
Sensei      1
Jake      1   ELIMINATED

3rd count
Afleitch   1
Bacon King   2
Earl      3
Colin      3
Hashemite   1   ELIMINATED
Sensei      1

4th count
Afleitch   2
Bacon King   2
Earl      3
Colin      3
Sensei      1   ELIMINATED

5th count
Afleitch   2   
Bacon King   2   ELIMINATED
Earl      4   ELECTED
Colin      3

6th count
Afleitch   3
Colin      4   ELECTED

[Meeker]

*Loud clunking sound*

Our computer system is, uh, experience technical difficulties.

We'll figure it out and get back to you

*Explosion*

Maybe...

[afleitch]

Do we have an online program for this?

[Meeker]

Do we have an online program for this?

That's what I've been using, but it's been getting different results that Jas' hand count. I've currently got it set to "Scottish STV", but the other options are "ERS97 STV", "N. Ireland STV", "Cambridge STV" and "Meek STV". If anyone with more knowledge of STV and/or the election method we're using can say which of those are accurate for us, I'd be much appreciative.

[Хahar 🤔]

Correct through Frodo:
Atlasian elections, April 2008


CANDIDATES:
    Colin Wixted
    HappyWarrior
    Willy Woz
    EarlAW
    Afleitch
    Sensei
    Jake
    Bacon King
    Culture King
    Hashemite
    kingofthebenchpress
    Lewis Trondheim
    Rockefeller Republican
    South Park Conservative


ELECTION RULES:
       Threshold Type:  Droop
    Surplus Transfers:  Fractional; From one winner at a time; From all ballots
   Duplicate Rankings:  Fully Accepted (fractional)
                 Ties:  by Previous Rounds method, then by Human

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 valid ballots.
Electing 5 candidates.
Threshold to win is 3.8000 votes.
There were no invalid ballots.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


*****************************************************************************


ROUND 1 -- Tally of 1st place votes

  CANDIDATE                   THIS ROUND          TOTAL   STATUS
  -----------------------  -------------  -------------   ---------
  EarlAW                         +4.0000         4.0000   ELECTED -- 1st round
  Rockefeller Republican         +4.0000         4.0000   ELECTED -- 1st round
  Afleitch                       +2.0000         2.0000   CONTINUING
  Colin Wixted                   +2.0000         2.0000   CONTINUING
  Lewis Trondheim                +2.0000         2.0000   CONTINUING
  Bacon King                     +1.0000         1.0000   CONTINUING
  Culture King                   +1.0000         1.0000   CONTINUING
  Hashemite                      +1.0000         1.0000   CONTINUING
  Jake                           +1.0000         1.0000   CONTINUING
  Sensei                         +1.0000         1.0000   CONTINUING
  HappyWarrior                    0.0000         0.0000   CONTINUING
  kingofthebenchpress             0.0000         0.0000   CONTINUING
  South Park Conservative         0.0000         0.0000   CONTINUING
  Willy Woz                       0.0000         0.0000   CONTINUING

  EXHAUSTED BALLOTS               0.0000         0.0000  
  TOTALS:                       +19.0000        19.0000  


  
  -- EarlAW is declared ELECTED because the threshold has been met.
  -- Rockefeller Republican is declared ELECTED because the threshold has been met.



*****************************************************************************


ROUND 2 -- EarlAW has been ELECTED -- transferring surplus votes

  CANDIDATE                   THIS ROUND          TOTAL   STATUS
  -----------------------  -------------  -------------   ---------
  EarlAW                         -0.2000         3.8000   ELECTED -- 1st round
  Rockefeller Republican          0.0000         4.0000   ELECTED -- 1st round
  Afleitch                        0.0000         2.0000   CONTINUING
  Colin Wixted                    0.0000         2.0000   CONTINUING
  Lewis Trondheim                 0.0000         2.0000   CONTINUING
  Sensei                         +0.1500         1.1500   CONTINUING
  Bacon King                     +0.0500         1.0500   CONTINUING
  Culture King                    0.0000         1.0000   CONTINUING
  Hashemite                       0.0000         1.0000   CONTINUING
  Jake                            0.0000         1.0000   CONTINUING
  HappyWarrior                    0.0000         0.0000   CONTINUING
  kingofthebenchpress             0.0000         0.0000   CONTINUING
  South Park Conservative         0.0000         0.0000   CONTINUING
  Willy Woz                       0.0000         0.0000   CONTINUING

  EXHAUSTED BALLOTS               0.0000         0.0000  
  TOTALS:                        +0.0000        19.0000  


  



*****************************************************************************


ROUND 3 -- Rockefeller Republican has been ELECTED -- transferring surplus votes

  CANDIDATE                   THIS ROUND          TOTAL   STATUS
  -----------------------  -------------  -------------   ---------
  EarlAW                          0.0000         3.8000   ELECTED -- 1st round
  Rockefeller Republican         -0.2000         3.8000   ELECTED -- 1st round
  Colin Wixted                   +0.1500         2.1500   CONTINUING
  Lewis Trondheim                +0.0500         2.0500   CONTINUING
  Afleitch                        0.0000         2.0000   CONTINUING
  Sensei                          0.0000         1.1500   CONTINUING
  Bacon King                      0.0000         1.0500   CONTINUING
  Culture King                    0.0000         1.0000   CONTINUING
  Hashemite                       0.0000         1.0000   CONTINUING
  Jake                            0.0000         1.0000   CONTINUING
  HappyWarrior                    0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 3rd round
  kingofthebenchpress             0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 3rd round
  South Park Conservative         0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 3rd round
  Willy Woz                       0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 3rd round

  EXHAUSTED BALLOTS               0.0000         0.0000  
  TOTALS:                        +0.0000        19.0000  


  
  -- The lowest ranking candidates are DEFEATED this round because they
     are mathematically certain to be defeated (no matter how their votes transfer)



*****************************************************************************

To be continued...

[Хahar 🤔]

ROUND 4 -- Defeated multiple lower candidates -- transferring all votes.

  CANDIDATE                   THIS ROUND          TOTAL   STATUS
  -----------------------  -------------  -------------   ---------
  EarlAW                          0.0000         3.8000   ELECTED -- 1st round
  Rockefeller Republican          0.0000         3.8000   ELECTED -- 1st round
  Colin Wixted                    0.0000         2.1500   CONTINUING
  Lewis Trondheim                 0.0000         2.0500   CONTINUING
  Afleitch                        0.0000         2.0000   CONTINUING
  Sensei                          0.0000         1.1500   CONTINUING
  Bacon King                      0.0000         1.0500   CONTINUING
  Hashemite                       0.0000         1.0000   CONTINUING
  Jake                            0.0000         1.0000   CONTINUING
  Culture King                    0.0000         1.0000   DEFEATED -- 4th round
  HappyWarrior                    0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 3rd round
  kingofthebenchpress             0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 3rd round
  South Park Conservative         0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 3rd round
  Willy Woz                       0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 3rd round

  EXHAUSTED BALLOTS               0.0000         0.0000  
  TOTALS:                        +0.0000        19.0000  


 
  -- Culture King is declared DEFEATED because s/he was tied for the fewest number of
     votes, and s/he lost in the tiebreaker.



*****************************************************************************


ROUND 5 -- Culture King has been DEFEATED -- transferring all votes

  CANDIDATE                   THIS ROUND          TOTAL   STATUS
  -----------------------  -------------  -------------   ---------
  EarlAW                          0.0000         3.8000   ELECTED -- 1st round
  Rockefeller Republican          0.0000         3.8000   ELECTED -- 1st round
  Lewis Trondheim                +1.0000         3.0500   CONTINUING
  Colin Wixted                    0.0000         2.1500   CONTINUING
  Afleitch                        0.0000         2.0000   CONTINUING
  Sensei                          0.0000         1.1500   CONTINUING
  Bacon King                      0.0000         1.0500   CONTINUING
  Jake                            0.0000         1.0000   CONTINUING
  Hashemite                       0.0000         1.0000   DEFEATED -- 5th round
  Culture King                   -1.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 4th round
  HappyWarrior                    0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 3rd round
  kingofthebenchpress             0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 3rd round
  South Park Conservative         0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 3rd round
  Willy Woz                       0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 3rd round

  EXHAUSTED BALLOTS               0.0000         0.0000  
  TOTALS:                        +0.0000        19.0000  


 
  -- Hashemite is declared DEFEATED because s/he was tied for the fewest number of
     votes, and s/he lost in the tiebreaker.



*****************************************************************************


ROUND 6 -- Hashemite has been DEFEATED -- transferring all votes

  CANDIDATE                   THIS ROUND          TOTAL   STATUS
  -----------------------  -------------  -------------   ---------
  EarlAW                          0.0000         3.8000   ELECTED -- 1st round
  Rockefeller Republican          0.0000         3.8000   ELECTED -- 1st round
  Lewis Trondheim                 0.0000         3.0500   CONTINUING
  Afleitch                       +1.0000         3.0000   CONTINUING
  Colin Wixted                    0.0000         2.1500   CONTINUING
  Sensei                          0.0000         1.1500   CONTINUING
  Bacon King                      0.0000         1.0500   CONTINUING
  Jake                            0.0000         1.0000   DEFEATED -- 6th round
  Hashemite                      -1.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 5th round
  Culture King                    0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 4th round
  HappyWarrior                    0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 3rd round
  kingofthebenchpress             0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 3rd round
  South Park Conservative         0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 3rd round
  Willy Woz                       0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 3rd round

  EXHAUSTED BALLOTS               0.0000         0.0000  
  TOTALS:                        +0.0000        19.0000  


 
  -- Jake is declared DEFEATED because s/he has the lowest number of
     votes, and there were no surplus votes to transfer.



*****************************************************************************


ROUND 7 -- Jake has been DEFEATED -- transferring all votes

  CANDIDATE                   THIS ROUND          TOTAL   STATUS
  -----------------------  -------------  -------------   ---------
  EarlAW                          0.0000         3.8000   ELECTED -- 1st round
  Rockefeller Republican          0.0000         3.8000   ELECTED -- 1st round
  Colin Wixted                   +1.0000         3.1500   CONTINUING
  Lewis Trondheim                 0.0000         3.0500   CONTINUING
  Afleitch                        0.0000         3.0000   CONTINUING
  Sensei                          0.0000         1.1500   DEFEATED -- 7th round
  Bacon King                      0.0000         1.0500   DEFEATED -- 7th round
  Jake                           -1.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 6th round
  Hashemite                       0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 5th round
  Culture King                    0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 4th round
  HappyWarrior                    0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 3rd round
  kingofthebenchpress             0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 3rd round
  South Park Conservative         0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 3rd round
  Willy Woz                       0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 3rd round

  EXHAUSTED BALLOTS               0.0000         0.0000  
  TOTALS:                        +0.0000        19.0000  


 
  -- The lowest ranking candidates are DEFEATED this round because they
     are mathematically certain to be defeated (no matter how their votes transfer)



*****************************************************************************


ROUND 8 -- Defeated multiple lower candidates -- transferring all votes.

  CANDIDATE                   THIS ROUND          TOTAL   STATUS
  -----------------------  -------------  -------------   ---------
  EarlAW                          0.0000         3.8000   ELECTED -- 1st round
  Rockefeller Republican          0.0000         3.8000   ELECTED -- 1st round
  Lewis Trondheim                +1.1000         4.1500   ELECTED -- 8th round
  Afleitch                       +1.0500         4.0500   ELECTED -- 8th round
  Colin Wixted                   +0.0500         3.2000   ELECTED -- 8th round
  Sensei                         -1.1500         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 7th round
  Bacon King                     -1.0500         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 7th round
  Jake                            0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 6th round
  Hashemite                       0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 5th round
  Culture King                    0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 4th round
  HappyWarrior                    0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 3rd round
  kingofthebenchpress             0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 3rd round
  South Park Conservative         0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 3rd round
  Willy Woz                       0.0000         0.0000   DEFEATED -- 3rd round

  EXHAUSTED BALLOTS               0.0000         0.0000  
  TOTALS:                        +0.0000        19.0000  


 
  -- The rest of the candidates are declared ELECTED this round,
     because the number of candidates left is equal to the
     number of open seats, and no more votes can be transferred.


ELECTION COUNT SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED





Friday, April 18 2008, 04:46 PM
ChoicePlus Lite, Version 1.32
(c) 2000 Voting Solutions -- All Rights Reserved
The order of Jake, Hashemite, and CultureKing is arbitrary, based on a coin flip.

[Јas]

Please stop using these computer programmes to try and figure out the election.
Your quota calculations are incorrect - this isn't the Scottish methodology, it's not a Droop quota system.
Nor are candidates on the same preferences ranked randomly.

Please read the PR Act.

[Хahar 🤔]

Please stop using these computer programmes to try and figure out the election.
Your quota calculations are incorrect - this isn't the Scottish methodology, it's not a Droop quota system.
Nor are candidates on the same preferences ranked randomly.

Please read the PR Act.

Ah, but I was too lazy to. Not that this matters, I'm not Mr. Moderate.

[Hatman 🍁]

Please correct me if I have made any errors, which is likely. The legislation is a tad confusing.

Quota: 5.167

First count
Lewis      3
Afleitch   3   
Bacon King   2
Rocky      4   
Earl      4
Colin      2
CultureKing   2   
----------------------------
(2nd preferences)(3rd)
Hashemite   1 (1)
Sensei      1   (3)
Jake      1   (1)
SPC      1        (0) (1)
benchpress   1   (0) (0) - eliminated

Second count

Lewis      3
Afleitch   3   
Bacon King   2
Rocky      4   
Earl      4
Colin      3
CultureKing   2   
----------------------------
(2nd preferences)(3rd)
Hashemite   1 (1)
Sensei      1   (3)
Jake      1   (1)
SPC      1        (0) (1) - eliminated

Third count
 
Lewis      3
Afleitch   4
Bacon King   2
Rocky      4   
Earl      4
Colin      3
CultureKing   2   
----------------------------
(2nd preferences)(3rd)(4th)
Hashemite   1 (1)  (1) (3)
Sensei      1   (3)
Jake      1   (1) (1) (1) - eliminated

Fourth count

Lewis      3
Afleitch   4
Bacon King   2
Rocky      4   
Earl      4
Colin      4
CultureKing   2   
----------------------------
(2nd preferences)(3rd)(4th)
Hashemite   1 (1)  (1) (3) - eliminated
Sensei      1   (3)

Fifth count
Lewis      3
Afleitch   4
Bacon King   2
Rocky      5
Earl      4
Colin      4
CultureKing   2   
----------------------------
(2nd preferences)(3rd)(4th)
Sensei      1   (3) - eliminated

Sixth count
Rocky      5
Earl      5
Lewis      3
Afleitch   4
Colin      4
----------------------
(2nd preferences)
Bacon King   2       (1)
CultureKing   2   (0) - eliminated

Seventh count
Rocky      5
Earl      5
Lewis      5
Afleitch   4
Colin      4
Bacon King 2 - eliminated


ok, we're now left with 5 people, but none of whom have even reached the quota yet

[Хahar 🤔]

Please correct me if I have made any errors, which is likely. The legislation is a tad confusing.

Quota: 5.167

First count
Lewis      3
Afleitch   3   
Bacon King   2
Rocky      4   
Earl      4
Colin      2
CultureKing   2   
----------------------------
(2nd preferences)(3rd)
Hashemite   1 (1)
Sensei      1   (3)
Jake      1   (1)
SPC      1        (0) (1)
benchpress   1   (0) (0) - eliminated

Second count

Lewis      3
Afleitch   3   
Bacon King   2
Rocky      4   
Earl      4
Colin      3
CultureKing   2   
----------------------------
(2nd preferences)(3rd)
Hashemite   1 (1)
Sensei      1   (3)
Jake      1   (1)
SPC      1        (0) (1) - eliminated

Third count
 
Lewis      3
Afleitch   4
Bacon King   2
Rocky      4   
Earl      4
Colin      3
CultureKing   2   
----------------------------
(2nd preferences)(3rd)(4th)
Hashemite   1 (1)  (1) (3)
Sensei      1   (3)
Jake      1   (1) (1) (1) - eliminated

Fourth count

Lewis      3
Afleitch   4
Bacon King   2
Rocky      4   
Earl      4
Colin      4
CultureKing   2   
----------------------------
(2nd preferences)(3rd)(4th)
Hashemite   1 (1)  (1) (3) - eliminated
Sensei      1   (3)

Fifth count
Lewis      3
Afleitch   4
Bacon King   2
Rocky      5
Earl      4
Colin      4
CultureKing   2   
----------------------------
(2nd preferences)(3rd)(4th)
Sensei      1   (3) - eliminated

Sixth count
Rocky      5
Earl      5
Lewis      3
Afleitch   4
Colin      4
----------------------
(2nd preferences)
Bacon King   2       (1)
CultureKing   2   (0) - eliminated

Seventh count
Rocky      5
Earl      5
Lewis      5
Afleitch   4
Colin      4
Bacon King 2 - eliminated


ok, we're now left with 5 people, but none of whom have even reached the quota yet

They're elected anyway.

[Hatman 🍁]

I either did the quota formula calculation wrong, or it's wrong in the legislation.

[Јas]

Please correct me if I have made any errors, which is likely. The legislation is a tad confusing.

Quota: 5.167

The quota is always a whole number, so here is where you went wrong.

[Јas]

I either did the quota formula calculation wrong, or it's wrong in the legislation.

PR Act, Section 5:
The ‘quota’ (i.e. the number of votes required to be deemed elected) shall then be calculated as the whole number (disregarding any attached fraction) resulting from the following equation:

[Total Valid Poll/(Number of seats to be filled + 1)] + 1


Currently the total valid poll is 30 (Last voter Alcon).
Therefore, the quota = 30/6 + 1 = 6
(As the section states if there is an attached fraction you disregard it - though obviously there isn't in this case.)

I really don't see where confusion could arise in calculating the quota, nor where the legislation is in error in this regard.

If you can't calculate the quota, nor understand the legislation, then it may be best to wait until the official result is announced to see how the SoFA goes through it.

[afleitch]

I think I have the millstone title of being the only one on the forum who has been on an STV ballot before As long as the counting is resolved far quicker!

[Hatman 🍁]

I either did the quota formula calculation wrong, or it's wrong in the legislation.

PR Act, Section 5:
The ‘quota’ (i.e. the number of votes required to be deemed elected) shall then be calculated as the whole number (disregarding any attached fraction) resulting from the following equation:

[Total Valid Poll/(Number of seats to be filled + 1)] + 1


Currently the total valid poll is 30 (Last voter Alcon).
Therefore, the quota = 30/6 + 1 = 6
(As the section states if there is an attached fraction you disregard it - though obviously there isn't in this case.)

I really don't see where confusion could arise in calculating the quota, nor where the legislation is in error in this regard.

If you can't calculate the quota, nor understand the legislation, then it may be best to wait until the official result is announced to see how the SoFA goes through it.

Jas, I really want to understand how it works, in case I ever get my dream job of SoFA So, I ask you, do we always round up to get the quota?

Also, I think for transparency reasons, it would really be nice if the voters understood the system. I'm not too sure I like your attitude toward this is. 

[afleitch]

Also, I think for transparency reasons, it would really be nice if the voters understood the system. I'm not too sure I like your attitude toward this is. 

I agree with Earl here. I think you have to explain, step by step an example election under our system and identify the specific STV method used. Even I'm struggling.

For the record, and for those busy downloading calculators, the Scottish STV method is probably the simplest/most straightforward method of STV. It has supplanted the BC method in most scenarios. Also, when the legislation mentions condorcet, that's a method whereby you use STV to elect one member (or in tie-breakers)

[Јas]

I either did the quota formula calculation wrong, or it's wrong in the legislation.

PR Act, Section 5:
The ‘quota’ (i.e. the number of votes required to be deemed elected) shall then be calculated as the whole number (disregarding any attached fraction) resulting from the following equation:

[Total Valid Poll/(Number of seats to be filled + 1)] + 1


Currently the total valid poll is 30 (Last voter Alcon).
Therefore, the quota = 30/6 + 1 = 6
(As the section states if there is an attached fraction you disregard it - though obviously there isn't in this case.)

I really don't see where confusion could arise in calculating the quota, nor where the legislation is in error in this regard.

If you can't calculate the quota, nor understand the legislation, then it may be best to wait until the official result is announced to see how the SoFA goes through it.

Jas, I really want to understand how it works, in case I ever get my dream job of SoFA So, I ask you, do we always round up to get the quota?

No. Calculate according to the formula and ignore any attached fraction.

Also, I think for transparency reasons, it would really be nice if the voters understood the system. I'm not too sure I like your attitude toward this is. 

My attitude is linked simply to that now three people have decided to try and perform counts without following what the legislation actually says but instead trying to short-cut the process.

During the ratification process, I campaigned extensively on educating people as to the system. I've now done two counts in the other thread which explain how matters progress, and I'm more than happy to answer any questions anyone has. Beyond this, the SoFA will, of course, perform his own official and, I'm sure, transparent count - which should clarify things further.

[Hatman 🍁]

okay, thanks Jas.

[Peter]

I am collating a wiki page to track the votes for ease of reference. I hope this is helpful to others.

PS - i don't guarantee its accuracy

[Јas]

I agree with Earl here. I think you have to explain, step by step an example election under our system and identify the specific STV method used. Even I'm struggling.

Count based on current votes: last voter: Brandon

Total Votes: 33
Quota = [Total Votes / (# Seats + 1) + 1]
= [33 / (5+1)] + 1
= [33 / 6] + 1
= 5.5 + 1
= 6.5
As explained, the fraction is disregarded.
Therefore, the quota is 6.

Count 1
Rockefeller: 5
Earl: 5
afleitch: 4
Lewis: 4
Colin Wixted: 2
Sensei: 2
Bacon King: 2
Jake: 2
CultureKing: 2
SPC: 2
Hashemite: 1
KoBP: 1
HW: 1

Candidates tied on the same number of 1st preferences have been differentiated on the basis of total 2nd preferences, or where necessary 3rd preferences, etc. etc.

Nobody has reached the quota of 6, therefore nobody has been elected.
The lowest ranked candidate, HappyWarrior is eliminated and his vote passes to the person who was stated thereon as the next highest preference.

Count 2
Distribution of HappyWarrior Vote

Rockefeller: 5
Earl: 5
afleitch: 4
Lewis: 4
Sensei: 3 (+1)
Colin Wixted: 2
Bacon King: 2
Jake: 2
CultureKing: 2
SPC: 2
Hashemite: 1
KoBP: 1
HW: 0 (-1)

Matchu[D] voted #1 HappyWarrior, #2 Sensei: therefore the vote passes to Sensei. This is exactly the same as in our regular IRV elections.

Still, nobody elected, so the lowest candidate is eliminated.

To continue below...

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

Also, I think for transparency reasons, it would really be nice if the voters understood the system. I'm not too sure I like your attitude toward this is. 

I've done some work on "voter education," but I think it will be hard for voters to understand the election until they've already had one under their belts.

The most simplest way I can think of explaning things is this:

In this election, you're going to continue to rank your choices by number, like you always have before.  The only difference is that this election will ultimately result in five winners, instead of just one.

To do this, we will divide the total number of votes cast by six to come up with the droop quota—the number of votes a candidate will need to win election.  Lower prefences will be used as needed (and candidates who cannot win will be mathematically eliminated) until the vote totals of five of those candidates is equal to the quota.

It has been mentioned before (by myself) that in PR-STV, the person you give first preference to is crucial for the following reason: in each round of voting, your ballot counts towards that person—and no one else—at the highest weight possible (one full vote) until that candidate is either elected or mathematically eliminated from winning.

If the candidate is mathematically eliminated, your "full vote" moves to your second preference.  If your first preference candidate is elected, then that person's vote total is immediately reduced down to the "droop quota," and the excess votes are then redistributed.

If there are extra votes for the person you gave first preference to, your vote will start working for the person you second preferenced at a reduced rate—the more the person you voted first preference for exceeds the quota by, the stronger your vote will count towards your second preference.  (Or, conversely, the more your first preference candidate needed your vote, the weaker the value of your second preference vote gets.)


For example, if there are four voters and two seats to be elected, and the votes are cast like this:

Voter 1:  A, B, C, D
Voter 2:  A, C, B, D
Voter 3:  B, A, D, C
Voter 4:  A, C, B, D

We first calculate the droop quota (in Atlasia's case, the total number of voters divided by six; here, the total number of voters (4) divided by the total number of candidates to be elected plus one (3)).  The droop quota for this election is 4/3, or 1.33333.  A candidate will need at least 1.33333 first preference votes to be elected in the first round.

In this scenario, candidate A got 3 first preference votes, while candidate B got 1.  Candidate A is declared elected.

Since candidate A has 1.66667 votes more than needed to win, those extra votes are redistributed based on second preferences.  Of those who gave candidate A their second preference, two people voted for C, and one voted for B.  Redistributed proportionately, candidate C gains 1.11111 votes and candidate B gains 0.55555 votes.

These are added to the first preference votes still in effect for those two candidates, Candidate B has now exceeded the droop quota with 2.11111 votes and is elected.

[Јas]

Count 3
KoBP Distribution

Rockefeller: 5
Earl: 5
afleitch: 4
Lewis: 4
Sensei: 3
Colin Wixted: 3 (+1)
Bacon King: 2
Jake: 2
CultureKing: 2
SPC: 2
Hashemite: 1
KoBP: 0 (-1)
HW: 0

KoBP voted for himself #1, Colin #2, so the vote flows to Colin.
Nobody is elected, so we eliminate the lowest candidate, Hashemite.

Count 4
Hashemite Distribution

Rockefeller: 6 (+1)
Earl: 5
afleitch: 4
Lewis: 4
Sensei: 3
Colin Wixted: 3
Bacon King: 2
Jake: 2
CultureKing: 2
SPC: 2
Hashemite: 0 (-1)
KoBP: 0
HW: 0

hashemite voted himself #1, Rocky #2. The vote flows to Rocky.
Rocky now has 6, the quota and so is elected.
He has no surplus that can be distributed. So we eliminate the lowest candidate SPC.

Continued below...

[Јas]

Count 5
SPC Distribution

Rockefeller: 6
Earl: 5
afleitch: 5 (+1)
Lewis: 4
Sensei: 3
Colin Wixted: 3
Jake: 3 (+1)
Bacon King: 2
CultureKing: 2
SPC: 0 (-2)
Hashemite: 0
KoBP: 0
HW: 0

SPC voted himself #1, afleitch #2. The vote flows to afleitch.
Brandon voted himself #1, Jake #2. The vote flows to Jake.
Nobody elected, we continue the eliminations with CultureKing.


Count 6
CultureKing Distribution

Rockefeller: 6
Lewis: 6 (+2)
Earl: 5
afleitch: 5
Sensei: 3
Colin Wixted: 3
Jake: 3
Bacon King: 2
CultureKing: 0 (-2)
SPC: 0
Hashemite: 0
KoBP: 0
HW: 0

Ebowed and friz both voted CultureKing #1, Lewsi #2, so both votes go to Lewis.
Lewis now has 6 votes and is elected.
There is no surplus to distribute, so we continue the eliminations with Bacon King.

Continued below...