Counting write-in votes with preferential balloting

[Guest KC]

We're holding an election by mail using ballots. The constitution mandates preferential voting and we are using the Borda count to tabulate the votes. The Borda count says that each candidate receives a certain number of "points" determined by the voter's rank of the candidate and the number of candidates. Also, that if the cadidate receives no ranking, they shall receive one point.

Our official ballot has one candidate for this office. Some members are writing in a candidate as first preference and not ranking the listed candidate. How should the points be awarded? Do we now say that there are now two candidates because of the write-in and award one point to the write-in for every one of the ballots that did not have a write-in? Or should we give 2 points to the write-in and one point to the candidate listed (but not ranked)only on the ballots that contain the write-in candidate?

What would be the correct way of awarding the points using the Borda count?

[Kim Goldsworthy]

What would be the correct way of awarding the points using the Borda count?

RONR does not address the Borda count method.

By the way, I find it surprising that your organization would adopt a method it does not understand.

Why use the Borda method, of the dozens - DOZENS! - of preferential methods out there?

[Rob Elsman]

We're holding an election by mail using ballots. The constitution mandates preferential voting and we are using the Borda count to tabulate the votes. The Borda count says that each candidate receives a certain number of "points" determined by the voter's rank of the candidate and the number of candidates. Also, that if the cadidate receives no ranking, they shall receive one point.

Our official ballot has one candidate for this office. Some members are writing in a candidate as first preference and not ranking the listed candidate. How should the points be awarded? Do we now say that there are now two candidates because of the write-in and award one point to the write-in for every one of the ballots that did not have a write-in? Or should we give 2 points to the write-in and one point to the candidate listed (but not ranked)only on the ballots that contain the write-in candidate?

What would be the correct way of awarding the points using the Borda count?

The nature and purpose of this forum prevents a detailed answer to your question about the Borda method of voting. An organization that uses any form of absentee voting will likely have to adopt special rules of order to govern it. In your case, I suspect that there is more work to be done to implement the method prescribed by the organization's governing documents.

[Guest KC]

Is there anyone or anyplace that could help us figure out this sitation and how to democratically handle it?

[hmtcastle]

Is there anyone or anyplace that could help us figure out this sitation and how to democratically handle it?

A little Googling revealed this: "There seems no way, or no pleasant way, to allow voting for "write-in" candidates in Borda elections."

Whether or not that's true is beyond me and, as noted, this forum.