Mathematics lecture at Park University to delve into conundrums in elections utilizing the Single Transferable Vote system.
The J. Malcolm Good Institute for Undergraduate Research at Park University is set to host a thought-provoking lecture on the paradoxes of Single Transferable Vote (STV) elections. Scheduled for April 16, 2024, at 3 p.m., the event will take place in the Jenkin and Barbara David Theater inside Alumni Hall on the Parkville Campus.
The feature speaker, David McCune, Ph.D., is an associate professor of mathematics at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo. McCune earned both his Master of Science degree and doctorate degree in mathematics from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, and he also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and mathematics from Baylor University.
In his talk, McCune will delve into the paradoxes of negative and positive involvement in STV elections, exploring how these paradoxes can occur and focusing on past political elections in the U.S. and Scotland.
The paradoxes of negative and positive involvement in STV refer to counterintuitive effects where voters ranking a candidate higher (positive involvement) or lower (negative involvement) can paradoxically cause that candidate to lose or alter the election outcome unfavorably. These paradoxes are a form of perverse response in STV systems, where voters' increased support for a candidate can unintentionally harm that candidate's chances, or conversely, reducing support can unintentionally help them.
The complexity of vote transfer mechanisms in STV systems gives rise to these paradoxes. When a voter ranks a candidate higher, it may increase that candidate's vote count beyond a quota, triggering vote transfers that inadvertently strengthen rivals or alter elimination sequences, causing the initially preferred candidate to lose. Conversely, ranking a candidate lower or not ranking them at all might prevent adverse vote transfers, paradoxically improving their chances.
While no specific named elections are cited in your search results, the existence of these paradoxes is well-documented in electoral theory and have practical implications in real STV elections, such as the Hare–Clark STV system used in places like Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.
Admission to the lecture is free and open to the public, making it an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about the intricacies of STV elections and the paradoxes they can create. Don't miss this chance to expand your understanding of this fascinating topic and hear David McCune's insights on the paradoxes of negative and positive involvement in Single Transferable Vote Elections.
Engaging in this lecture presents a valuable opportunity for education and self-development, as attendees will learn about the paradoxes of Single Transferable Vote (STV) elections and how these complexities can influence the outcome of real-world elections. Through understanding these paradoxes, individuals can enhance their knowledge about electoral systems and make informed decisions when participating in STV elections.
