One observation on clone independence and electing a centrist candidate using rankings only and when one of the "extremists" has majority.

Votes:
51: A>C>B
49: B>C>A
C is the winner.

A will be cloned. The votes could be:
51: A1>A2>C>B
49: B>C>A2>A1
C should still be the winner.

B will be cloned. The votes could be:
51: A>C>B1>B2
49: B2>B1>C>A
C should still be the winner.

The problem is that these two sets of votes are identical:
51: X1>X2>X3>X4
49: X4>X3>X2>X1
In the first set of votes the intended winner C is X3 and in the latter X2. It is thus impossible for the algorithm in this case and with this information (rankings only) to satisfy both requirements and to be fully clone independent.

Similar conclusions could be drawn at least for normalized ratings.
A=100 C=55 B=0 => A1=100 A2=56 C=54 B=0
B=100 C=55 A=0 => B=100 C=56 A1=54 A2=0
or
A=100 C=55 B=0 => A=100 C=56 B1=54 B2=0
B=100 C=55 A=0 => B2=100 B1=56 C=54 A=0

One approach to try to avoid this problem would be to use a more limited clone concept: candidates that are ranked/rated equal with each others.

Juho




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