Warren Smith > Sent: 27 December 2007 05:11 > In these examples IRV *ignores* some preferences while > counting others. That seems unfair and arbitrary.
This may "seem unfair and arbitrary" to Smith, but it is neither. Smith, like many others, has misinterpreted the preference information recorded on IRV ballots. In IRV, unlike some other voting systems that also use preferential ballots, the preferences are contingency choices. If the Returning Officer applies the IRV rules correctly, the IRV counting system treats all preferences on all ballots in a completely fair and consistent way, i.e. as the contingency choices the voters wished to record. James Gilmour No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.9/1198 - Release Date: 26/12/2007 17:26 ---- Election-Methods mailing list - see http://electorama.com/em for list info
