Election Methods and Spoiler Effects

The video tutorial discusses elections conducted using preference ballots, focusing on the plurality method. It explains that the plurality method determines the winner by the most first-choice votes, not necessarily a majority. An example from the 1994 Virginia Senate election illustrates this method. The tutorial critiques the plurality method, highlighting its simplicity but also its potential to elect a candidate not favored by the majority and the possibility of a spoiler effect.

What is the primary question when using preference ballots in elections?

• How to count the votes accurately

• How to prevent election fraud

• How to determine the winner

• How to ensure voter turnout

Which method is commonly used in U.S. politics to determine election winners?

• Instant Runoff

• Condorcet Method

• Plurality Method

• Borda Count

Which method is NOT one of the four methods to resolve elections mentioned in the lecture?

• Condorcet Method

• First-Past-The-Post

• Borda Count

• Plurality Method

What does the Plurality Method state about winning an election?

• The candidate with the least votes wins

• The candidate with the most second-choice votes wins

• The candidate with the majority of votes wins

• The candidate with the most first-choice votes wins

What is the key difference between plurality and majority?

• Plurality requires more than half the votes

• Majority requires the least votes

• Majority requires more votes than any other candidate

• Plurality requires the most votes, not necessarily more than half

In the context of the Plurality Method, what does 'plurality' mean?

• More than half the votes

• The most votes, not necessarily a majority

• Equal votes for all candidates

• The least votes

In the 1994 Virginia Senate election, who won despite not having a majority?

• Charles Robb

• J Marshall Coleman

• Oliver North

• Ross Perot

What percentage of votes did Charles Robb receive in the 1994 Virginia Senate election?

• 45%

• 43%

• 11%

• 50%

What was the percentage of votes received by Oliver North in the 1994 Virginia Senate election?

• 50%

• 11%

• 43%

• 45%

What is one advantage of the Plurality Method?

• It is simple and easy to implement

• It is complex and difficult to implement

• It always results in a majority winner

• It requires understanding of preference ballots