Talk:Later-no-harm criterion

---

Find sources: Google (books · news · scholar · free images · WP refs) · FENS · JSTOR · TWL

Definition of ordering candidates preferredness

I think the following needs clarification: "less preferred candidate cannot cause a more preferred candidate to lose". What is the definition of preferredness of one candidate versus another? Can this be defined for all voting systems? For example, in range voting how do you order the preferredness of the candidates? It would be nice if less and more preferredness were links that give formal definitions. WilliamKF 16:28, 13 March 2007 (UTC)

Preferred has exactly the same meaning as in standard English. If candidate A is preferred to candidate B he/she is liked more than candidate B. In range voting if A has a rating of 100 and B a rating of 75 A is preferred to B. Dgamble997 16:08, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

Plurality and Later-no-harm

Tom I’ve undone your inclusion of Plurality in the list of methods that comply with later-no-harm. In the case of a single seat a voter cannot express a choice for a less preferred candidate so the criterion does not really apply. In the case of Plurality-at-large (with 2 or more seats being filled) Plurality actually fails later-no-harm.

Take the example:

1 A>C

319 A>B

310 C>D

185 E>C

185 E>D

With 5 candidates contesting 2 seats.

If the E voters use both their votes the winners are C and D.

A 320

B 319

C 496

D 495

E 370

If the E voters cast only one vote the winners are now A and E.

A 320

B 319

C 311

D 310

E 370

By voting for second choice, less preferred, candidates the E voters have caused their most preferred candidate to be defeated. Dgamble997 16:08, 4 September 2007 (UTC)