Preferential Voting Explained (or How to Elect the President of Ireland) hew Mullenax WV Association of Geospatial Professionals
Presentation Outline What is preferential voting? Why use preferential voting? How H does preferential voting work? Example preferential voting scenarios
What is preferential voting? Preferential e e voting is a voting system used for elections in which voters rank candidates in order of preference. In an election, if no candidate receives an overall majority (>50%) of first preferences, the candidates with fewest votes are eliminated one by one, and their votes transferred according to their second and third preferences (and so on) and all votes retallied, until one candidate achieves a majority. Process detailed in Robert s Rules of Order Newly Revised 10 th Ed, page 411.
Presentation Outline What is preferential voting? Why use preferential voting? How H does preferential voting work? Example preferential voting scenarios
Why use preferential voting? Avoids cost and time of re-balloting in the event of a tie. Enables a group to make the most desirable choice by taking into account each voter s second (or third, or fourth, etc.) choice. Method of voting prescribed in WVAGP s Bylaws for future elections to Board of Directors. Previously used by WVAGP to select our logo and slogan.
Presentation Outline What is preferential voting? Why use preferential voting? How H does preferential voting work? Example preferential voting scenarios
How does preferential voting work?
How does preferential voting work? Count voters 1 st choice
How does preferential voting work? Count voters 1 st choice Does a candidate date have majority?
How does preferential voting work? Count voters 1 st choice Does a candidate date have majority? Yes Candidate selected
How does preferential voting work? Count voters 1 st choice
How does preferential voting work? Count voters 1 st choice Does a candidate date have majority?
How does preferential voting work? Count voters 1 st choice Does a candidate date have majority? No Eliminate candidate(s) with lowest votes
How does preferential voting work? Count voters 1 st choice Does a candidate date have majority? No Eliminate candidate(s) with lowest votes Redistribute those votes among remaining candidate(s) by ranking until majority achieved
How does preferential voting work? Count voters 1 st choice Does a candidate date have majority? No Eliminate candidate(s) with lowest votes Redistribute those votes among remaining candidate(s) by ranking until majority achieved Candidate selected
Preferential Voting Workflow Count voters 1 st choice Does a candidate date have majority? Yes No Eliminate candidate(s) with lowest votes Redistribute those votes among remaining candidate(s) by ranking until majority achieved Candidate selected
Presentation Outline What is preferential voting? Why use preferential voting? How H does preferential voting work? Example preferential voting scenarios
Preferential Voting Scenarios (selecting single candidate) WVAGP Board of Directors is electing a President. 11 voting members on Board. Three candidates running for President:, and. Each of 11 voters rank all the candidates in order of their preference and submit their ballot.
Scenario 1 - Votes are tallied Rank 4 Votes 2 Votes 1 Vote 3 Votes 1 Vote 1 st 2 nd 3 rd
1 st Preferences are tallied; no candidate has majority Rank 4 Votes 2 Votes 1 Vote 3 Votes 1 Vote 1 st 2 nd 3 rd = (4 votes), (4 votes), (3 votes)
Candidate with fewest votes eliminated; votes redistributed ib t d and tallied Rank 4 Votes 2 Votes 1 Vote 3 Votes 1 Vote 1 st 2 nd 3 rd = (6 votes), (5 votes)
Candidate has majority; is selected as winner Rank 4 Votes 2 Votes 1 Vote 3 Votes 1 Vote 1 st 2 nd 3 rd = (6 votes), (5 votes) = 6 out of 11 votes > 50%, therefore is winner
Scenario 2 - Votes are tallied Rank 5 Votes 2 Votes 1 Vote 2 Votes 1 Vote 1 st 2 nd 3 rd
1 st Preferences are tallied; no candidate has majority Rank 5 Votes 2 Votes 1 Vote 2 Votes 1 Vote 1 st 2 nd 3 rd = (5 votes), (3 votes), (3 votes)
Candidates with fewest votes eliminated; votes redistributed ib t d and tallied Rank 5 Votes 2 Votes 1 Vote 2 Votes 1 Vote 1 st 2 nd 3 rd = (11 votes)
Candidate has majority; is selected as winner Rank 5 Votes 2 Votes 1 Vote 2 Votes 1 Vote 1 st 2 nd 3 rd = (11 votes) = 11 out of 11 votes > 50%, therefore is winner
Scenario 3 - Votes are tallied Rank 6 Votes 2 Votes 1 Vote 1 Vote 1 Vote 1 st 2 nd 3 rd
1 st Preferences are tallied Rank 6 Votes 2 Votes 1 Vote 1 Vote 1 Vote 1 st 2 nd 3 rd = (6 votes), (3 votes) (2 votes)
1 st Preferences are tallied; candidate has majority Rank 6 Votes 2 Votes 1 Vote 1 Vote 1 Vote 1 st 2 nd 3 rd = (6 votes), (3 votes) (2 votes) = 6 out of 11 votes > 50%, therefore is winner
Scenario 4 - Votes are tallied (only 10 votes cast) Rank 5 Votes 2 Votes 1 Vote 2 Votes 1 st 2 nd 3 rd
1st Preferences are tallied; no candidate has majority Rank 5 Votes 2 Votes 1 Vote 2 Votes 1 st 2 nd 3 rd = (5 votes), (3 votes) (2 votes)
Candidates with fewest votes eliminated; votes redistributed ib t d and tallied Rank 5 Votes 2 Votes 1 Vote 2 Votes 1 st 2 nd 3 rd = (5 votes), (5 votes)
Candidates have achieved a tie; candidate with greatest # of 1 st Preferences chosen Rank 5 Votes 2 Votes 1 Vote 2 Votes 1 st 2 nd 3 rd = (5 votes), (5 votes) =(51 st Preferences) > (3 1 st = (5 1 st Preferences) > (3 1 st Preferences), therefore is winner
Selecting Multiple Candidates Voters indicate their order of preference among names in a single list of candidates, just as if only one was to be elected. The counting procedure is the same as with a single candidate, except that it is continued until all but the necessary number of candidates have been eliminated.
Preferential Voting Scenario (selecting multiple l candidates) WVAGP is electing two Board members. 50 voting WVAGP members. Four candidates running for the Board:,, Rob and. Each of 50 voters rank all the candidates in order of their preference and submit their ballot.
Scenario 5 - Votes are tallied Rank 18 Votes 9Votes 7Votes 12 Votes 4Votes 1 st Rob Rob 2 nd Rob Rob 3 rd Rob 4 th
1 st Preferences are tallied Rank 18 Votes 9Votes 7Votes 12 Votes 4Votes 1 st Rob Rob 2 nd Rob Rob 3 rd Rob 4 th = (18 votes), (12 votes), Rob (11 votes), (9 votes)
Candidate with fewest votes eliminated; votes redistributed ib t d and tallied Rank 18 Votes 9Votes 7Votes 12 Votes 4Votes 1 st Rob Rob 2 nd Rob Rob 3 rd Rob 4 th = Rob (20 votes), (18 votes), (12 votes)
Candidate with fewest votes eliminated; all but two candidates eliminated i Rank 18 Votes 9Votes 7Votes 12 Votes 4Votes 1 st Rob Rob 2 nd Rob Rob 3 rd Rob 4 th = (30 votes), Rob (20 votes) = and Rob are winners
Questions? Mary McAleese President of Ireland