I've been looking at many of the election methods described on the web (thanks, Google! :) and I haven't seen any versions that calculate the winner two different ways and compare the result, using a third method as a tie-breaker if necessary. For example, we could use method A to figure out an election winner A1, and then method B to choose B1. If the results match, then that person is the winner. If each method chooses someone different, then use a third method C to choose between A1 and B1. If we were to use a ranked ballot and were to add a cutoff line voters could choose between approved and unapproved candidates, we could use both Approval and Borda to look at the voting data. If they select the same winner, great; if not, the top choice from each method gets compared directly just like it was a two-person race. Another possibility would be to take the Smith set of the data first. If there were a circular tie, run the Smith set through Approval and Borda, and if there was still a tie do a plurality test on the two remaining candidates (the process would go from X number of candidates to 3 to 2 to 1 in that case). Of course, you could choose your own voting methods to use in comparison -- it might be interesting to match strengths and weaknesses between methods. Admittedly, calculating the winner would be much more difficult than simple plurality, but that's what computers are for. Since this method sorts candidates (allowing for ties in ordering, if desired) and divides the group between acceptable and unacceptable candidates, it is only a tiny bit more complicated than straight Borda. Mike Rouse [EMAIL PROTECTED]
