Modern Math Quiz - Voting Methods part 2

Based on the preference schedule shown, which school is the winner of the election using Borda Count?

• Alaska (A)

• Harvard (H)

• North Dakota (N)

• Vermont (V)

Answer explanation

Borda Count: points are assigned to candidates based on their ranking; 1 point for last choice, 2 points for second-to-last choice, and so on. Then the point values for all ballots are totaled, and the candidate with the largest point total is the winner.

In the scenario shown, which candidate is the winner of the election using Approval Voting?

• John McCain

• George Bush

• Al Gore

• None of the above

Answer explanation

Approval Voting: the ballot asks you to mark all choices that you find acceptable. The results are tallied, and the option with the most approval is the winner.

What is the Borda Count point value assigned to the last choice?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Answer explanation

Borda Count: points are assigned to candidates based on their ranking; 1 point for last choice, 2 points for second-to-last choice, and so on. The point values for all ballots are totaled, and the candidate with the largest point total is the winner.

In the 2000 Presidential Election scenario, how many people wrote down 'Gore, McCain' on their ballot?

• 20

• 35

• 25

• None of the above

Answer explanation

Approval Voting: the ballot asks you to mark all choices that you find acceptable. The results are tallied, and the option with the most approval is the winner.

In the City Council election, who is the candidate with the most pairwise wins using Copeland's Method?

• Amy

• Ben

• Cara

• Dave

Answer explanation

Copeland’s Method: each pair of candidates is compared, using all preferences to determine which of the two is more preferred. The more preferred candidate is awarded 1 point. If there is a tie, each candidate is awarded ½ point. After all pairwise comparisons are made, the candidate with the most points, and hence the most pairwise wins, is declared the winner.

What is the total percentage of voters in the Small Seven Athletic Conference election?

• 100%

• 35%

• 20%

• 30%

Answer explanation

Total the number of voters in a preference schedule by adding the numbers of voters at the top of each column.

How many points are assigned to the second-to-last choice in Borda Count?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Answer explanation

Borda Count: points are assigned to candidates based on their ranking; 1 point for last choice, 2 points for second-to-last choice, and so on. The point values for all ballots are totaled, and the candidate with the largest point total is the winner.

In the 2000 Presidential Election scenario, how many people wrote down only 'Bush' on their ballot?

• 20

• 35

• 25

• None of the above

Answer explanation

Approval Voting: the ballot asks you to mark all choices that you find acceptable. The results are tallied, and the option with the most approval is the winner.

In the City Council election, who is the candidate with the least number of first choice votes?

• Amy

• Ben

• Cara

• Dave

Answer explanation

Instant Runoff Voting: In IRV, voting is done with preference ballots, and a preference schedule is generated. The choice with the least first-place votes is then eliminated from the election, and any votes for that candidate are redistributed to the voters’ next choice. This continues until a choice has a majority (over 50%).

In the City Council election, who is the candidate with the most number of first choice votes? Who won the election by Plurality?

• Amy

• Ben

• Cara

• Dave

Answer explanation

Plurality Method: the choice with the most first-preference votes is declared the winner.