Imagine a scenario where a new spaceport is to be constructed on Mars, and the decision of its location is to be made by the colonists residing in four recently established Martian bases. The bases are home to 42 residents at West Base, 26 at North Base, 15 at South Base, and 17 at East Base. Each colonist prefers the spaceport to be as close to their base as possible, prompting a vote to determine its location. But what is the fairest way to conduct this vote?
The most straightforward method is plurality voting, where each individual casts a single ballot, and the location with the most votes wins. In this case, West Base would easily win due to its larger population. However, this result is considered unfavorable by most colonists, as West Base is far from the other bases. This raises the question: is plurality voting truly the fairest method?
An alternative is instant runoff voting, which takes into account the full range of preferences rather than just the top choice. Voters rank each option from 1 to 4, and the option with the fewest first-place votes is eliminated. The votes from the eliminated option are then reallocated to the voters’ next choice. In this scenario, South Base is eliminated first, and its votes go to East Base, giving it a total of 32 votes. North Base is then eliminated, and its votes are reallocated, resulting in East Base winning with 58 votes over West’s 42. However, this outcome is also seen as unfair, as East Base was initially ranked low by the majority.
Another approach is to conduct voting in multiple rounds, with the top two winners proceeding to a runoff. Typically, this would result in West and North advancing, with North winning the final round. However, East Base residents could engage in tactical voting by supporting South Base in the first round to prevent North from advancing. This strategy allows South Base to win, despite being the least populated. Such tactical voting raises concerns about the fairness of a system that encourages voters to misrepresent their preferences.
To address these issues, the Condorcet method allows voters to express preferences in every possible head-to-head matchup. For example, in a matchup between West and North, North would win with 58 votes from North, South, and East, compared to West’s 42. By conducting similar matchups for all options, the base that wins the most matchups is declared the winner. In this case, North wins three matchups, and South wins two, making them the most central locations. North also benefits from not being anyone’s least preferred choice.
While the Condorcet method seems promising, it is not without flaws. In elections with three candidates, it can fail to select a winner if preferences are cyclical, such as preferring A over B, B over C, and C over A. Over the years, researchers have developed numerous voting systems, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. However, mathematical proofs have shown that for elections with more than two options, it is impossible to design a voting system that meets all theoretically desirable criteria.
Ultimately, while democracy is often viewed as a straightforward process of counting votes, it is crucial to consider who benefits from different counting methods. The quest for a fair voting system continues, as each method presents unique challenges and implications for the outcome.
Gather your classmates and simulate an election to decide the location of the Martian spaceport. Use the plurality voting method first. Each student represents a colonist from one of the four bases. After the votes are cast, discuss the outcome and whether it seems fair. Reflect on how the population distribution affected the result.
Conduct the same election using instant runoff voting. Have each student rank the bases from 1 to 4. Eliminate the base with the fewest first-place votes and reallocate those votes according to the next preferences. Continue until a base wins. Discuss how this method changes the outcome and whether it feels more equitable.
Divide into groups and strategize how to use tactical voting to influence the election outcome. Conduct multiple rounds of voting, allowing groups to change their votes based on their strategies. Analyze how tactical voting can manipulate results and discuss the ethical implications of such strategies.
Organize a series of head-to-head matchups between the bases using the Condorcet method. Each student votes on each matchup, and the base that wins the most matchups is declared the winner. Discuss how this method compares to the previous ones and whether it seems fairer.
Hold a class debate on the merits and drawbacks of different voting systems discussed in the article. Assign students to defend plurality voting, instant runoff voting, tactical voting, and the Condorcet method. Encourage them to use examples from the Martian spaceport scenario to support their arguments. Conclude with a discussion on the complexity of achieving a fair voting system.
Voting – The process by which individuals express their choice or opinion in a decision-making process, often used in elections to select leaders or decide on policies. – In a democratic society, voting is a fundamental right that allows citizens to influence government decisions.
Preferences – An individual’s ranking or order of choices or options, often used in the context of voting to indicate which candidates or policies are favored. – In ranked-choice voting, voters list their preferences for candidates in order of priority.
Fairness – The quality of making judgments that are free from discrimination, ensuring equal treatment and opportunities for all parties involved. – A fair voting system should accurately reflect the will of the people without bias.
Plurality – A voting system in which the candidate with the most votes wins, regardless of whether they achieve a majority. – In a plurality voting system, a candidate can win with less than 50% of the vote if they have more votes than any other candidate.
Runoff – An additional election held to determine a winner when no candidate receives a majority of votes in the initial election. – If no candidate secures a majority, a runoff election is held between the top two contenders.
Tactical – Relating to actions or strategies carefully planned to achieve a specific end, often used in voting to describe strategic voting behavior. – Voters may engage in tactical voting by supporting a less-preferred candidate who has a better chance of winning.
Condorcet – A voting method that elects the candidate who would win a head-to-head competition against each of the other candidates. – The Condorcet method seeks to identify a candidate who can beat every other candidate in one-on-one contests.
Democracy – A system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives. – Democracy relies on the active participation of citizens through voting and civic engagement.
Outcomes – The results or consequences of a process or action, often used in the context of elections to describe the final results of the voting process. – The outcomes of the election were announced after all the votes were counted and verified.
Systems – Organized methods or procedures used to achieve a particular goal, such as different voting systems used in elections. – Various electoral systems, like proportional representation and first-past-the-post, can significantly impact election outcomes.
