I'd like some input from as many people on this list who are willing.
I am making a chart to use in demonstrating the relative strengths of different voting systems to those unfamiliar with them. I've chosen Plurality, Approval, Ratings, Borda, IRV, and two forms of Condorcet: winning votes with no equal rankings but truncation allowed, and margins with equal rankings allowed. I might have added others but for two reasons: (1) they're just not well-understood enough, and (2) too many systems will get too confusing.
I've chosen a couple dozen "desirable characteristics", and intend to rank each election method on a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being the most desirable situation. I've filled in the chart with a few of these off the top of my head, to serve as examples.
I by no means have full knowledge of how each method fares in each light, so I need to tap the knowledge in all your heads.
I'm hoping this doesn't start any holy wars on the list, so perhaps it's best if responses are sent directly to me. I can post a summary if anyone desires, after getting all the feedback.
This started as an Excel spreadsheet, but I've saved it as a CSV, and am attaching it in that form. Please fill in as many boxes as you feel qualified to rate. I'll take CSV's, or Excel 97 or Lotus spreadsheets.
Thank you very much, Tom McIntyre
Voting systems rated by desired characteristics,,,,,,, Characteristic,Plurality,Approval,"Rating (-2, -1, 0, 1, 2)",Borda,"Condorcet (winning votes, no equal rankings, but incomplete OK)","Condorcet (margins, equal rankings)",IRV High voter turnout,,,,,,, No incentive to attack similar candidates,,,,,,, No incentive to attack any candidates,,,,,,, Campaigns focus on issues,,,,,,, No advantage by running weak clones,10,10,10,4,10,10,9 "Spoiler-free, no ""wasted votes""",0,8,8,9,9,9,7 Few disqualified ballots,7,10,8,2,4,4,4 Ballots not confusing,,,,,,, Voters understand the counting procedure,,,,,,, Strategy not confusing,,,,,,, Strategy not needed,,,,,,, Votes are sincere,,,,,,, Monotonicity,,,,,,, Votes fully express a voter's desire,,,,,,, "Picks Condorcet winner, if one exists",,,,,,, "Winner best reflects ""will of the electorate""",,,,,,, Less intensive on computer resources,,,,,,, Less complicated for counting staff,,,,,,, Low opportunity for counting fraud,,,,,,, Good track record (has it worked well?),,,,,,, Large-scale reform likely to go through,10,9,6,4,4,4,5 Transitional expense low,10,9,7,4,4,4,4 Ongoing expense low,10,10,9,6,6,6,6 No need for second runoff election,1,10,10,10,10,10,10
