Equal Vote Criterion: Difference between revisions

The Equal Vote Criterion or [https://www.equal.vote/theequalvote Equality Criterion] is a [[Voting system criterion|voting method criterion]] which requires that a voting method ensure that every voter may cast a vote which is as powerful as a vote cast by any other voter. Voting methods which pass the Equal Vote Criterion do not exhibit [[vote-splitting]] or the "Spoiler Effect," ensuring that every vote can cast an [[Equally Weighted Vote|equally weighted vote]].

In general [[Cardinal voting systems|cardinal voting methods]] pass the Equal Vote Criterion, including [[STAR voting]], [[Approval voting]], and [[Score voting]]. Many [[Condorcet]] methods also pass the criterion including most Condorcet methods which can be calculated only with the [[pairwise counting]] matrix, as well as most Condorcet-cardinal hybrids.

Some voting methods go further and actually guarantee an [http://starvoting.us/equal_vote Equal Vote], assuming that the ballot is not left blank. STAR Voting, which is binary in the final round, guarantees that every vote cast is in equally weighted, regardless of the initial scores given. Approval voting also guarantees an Equal Vote. If Score voting ballots are normalized to ensure that a minimum and maximum score is always given then Score voting also guarantees an Equal Vote.

Any voting method or election which passes the Test of Balance passes the Equal Vote Criterion and can be said to guarantee an Equally Weighted Vote. The test of balance is defined as the following "Any way I vote, you should be able to vote in an equal and opposite fashion. Our votes should be able to cancel each other’s out." In other words, if an election was tied and one person cast a vote, there must always be a way to cast an opposite vote which would bring the election back to tied.