The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-01-19

to be candidate by way of seeing
what he can do, and his friends will
vote for him in the same way, knowing
that they will have a chance at a
stronger candidate if their favorite
proves to be very weak in popular
favor. The plan might be of value in
political conventions.
| The process in detail:
l. Distribute the ballot papers
amongst the voters, with instructions
that all the candidates are to be writ
ten or marked in the order of the vot-
er's choice, or the ballot will be spoiled;
except when one name only is omitted.
In that case the omitted name will be
understood as being the man most OBJ
jected to by the voter. Collect the bal
lots when all are marked.
! g. Sort out the ballots into four piles.
according to the number one or first
aaYss Hsai sa z asisHsl2a 4
Ona each ballot as you do SO. Whilst
this is being zone, two tally clerks are
keeping tally of the number of votes
for each candidate. Reject spoiled
ballots in accordance with paragraph l..
3. The tally-clerks name the candi-
date who has the smallest number Of
first-choice votes (the only votes that
SO far have been counted). The scru-
tineer then declares that candidate out,
and distributes the whole of his ballots
amongst the remaining candidates, ac-
cording to the second choices on the
ho1 1nfc Mr. C,r1;4
is at the bottom of the poll, the illus
trative ballot above given would be
transferred to Browns file, because
Brown is second choice upon it; and
1T would count Brown one vote.
4. Three candidates are now left on
the board. The lowest of these is de-
clared out. and his votes are trans
ferred to the remaining two candidates,
in the way already described. If, for
instance, Brown was declared out, then
the ballot above given would be put
on Jones file. and would count one
vote for Jones, because Jones is num-
Der three on the ballot, and both num-
Der one and number two are out and
can not be elected.
5. Only two candidates are now left,
and the one found to have the greatest
number Of. votes is declared to be elect
ed. BY means of the transfers he has
a clear majority Of the vote cast.
6. Ties can be disposed of by ex-
| cludlng the candidate having the least
number Of first-choice votes; or, first
choice votes being equal, by excluding
the one having least second choice
votes, and SO on. Failing this, the
older of the two tied candidates may
go in, or lots may be cast.
Z. These directions relate specifically
to an election with four candidates;
but they will at once suggest the meth
cd to be pursued when three or five or
more candidates are running.
| The use of these improved systems
of voting in clubs and societies is one
Of the very best means of making
them widely known. Although the
foregoing is not strictly proportional
representation, it is closely akin to it,
and should be understood by every one
interested in improved voting meth
DDS. When voter gets used to mark
| ing several choices for q Single Of
ticer," he will be more willing to mark
choices for several representatives on
the quota plan for a congressional or
legislative election, or to allow it to
be done for him on the Cove plan.
! One of the largest organizations
using the foregoing system is the In
dependent Order of Odd Fellows of
Canada. I understand that the vote is
taken in each Of the local lodges, and
that the ballots are there sorted ac-
cording to first choices, and sent with
a statement to central election COM
mittee, who make the transfer and an
nounce the result.
| A modification of the preferential
| plan might be made on the principles
of the Cove system, by allowing the
candidates themselves to state the pref
erences before the election. This
would perhaps be desirable for the sake
of uniformity in cases where the Cove
system was being used at the same
election for the election Of number
of representatives.
A gentleman in Kansas has proposed
that this preferential system should be
applied to the direct primary nomi-