Loring ensemble rule

The Loring ensemble rule is a category of multi-winner voting methods, devised by Robert Loring, that combine a Condorcet method and STV.

Like the use of an election threshold, the methods aim to deprive fringe parties elected by proportional representation of kingmaker powers; but instead of preventing smaller parties from being elected, the LER methods elect a consensus candidate (the Condorcet winner) to balance the assembly.

Loring defined two such rules.

The Loring ensemble rule A (LERa) protects the Condorcet winner from being eliminated as part of the STV process, so that this candidate is always elected. This method is related to STV-CLE and the multi-winner generalization of Benham's method. It is based on an IRV modification proposed by David Hill.

The Loring ensemble rule B (LERb) first elects the Condorcet winner, then uses STV to fill the rest of the assembly.