APPENDIX A
PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION BY PREFERENTIAL BALLOTING
This appendix describes the method for implementing Rule 18-6.B.2: Elections; Non-Secret Elections; More than One Person to be Elected to Office. Proportional representation (Rule 17) provides a way of conducting elections that insures the accommodation of different points of view in proportion to the numbers of electors reflecting such viewpoints. The preferential ballot further promotes such fairness.
When more than one person is to be elected to office, the individual candidates need only gather a certain number of votes (the allocation) to guarantee election as described in detail below. The allocation number is calculated and announced by the presiding officer for the election of the required number of delegates or committeepersons when the total number of electors present is established.
Allocation and Balloting. In anticipation of the need for more than one election, several differently colored ballots are issued, a single color to be used for each round of voting. All ballots are individually inscribed in advance by the party with an elector's name and the party subdivision she/he represents; for example, ward or county. The ballots, including the similarly inscribed ballots of electors voting by proxy, are issued at the time of registration for the meeting or convention. Each elector may list as many candidates, men and/or women, he/she wishes in descending order of the elector's preference. To maximize the effect of proportional representation the elector is encouraged to list many rather than few candidates. To guarantee election a candidate requires a number of votes equal to the allocation A defined as V divided by (N+1), increased to the next-higher whole number whether V divided by (N+1) is itself a whole number or fractionally larger than a whole number. V is the number of electors present including proxies (not the number of those actually voting), and N is the required number of people to be elected to the office. The allocation is therefore:
A = V , increased to the next higher whole number
N+1
Examples:
(a) If 250 electors are to elect 15 people, 250 = 15.6. The increase to 16 yields allocation A 15+1
(b) If 220 electors are to elect 10 people, 220 = 20. The increase to 21 yields allocation A. 10+1
All candidates' names are prominently posted. The chairperson announces the allocation based on V and N and voting begins. As ballots are filled out they are deposited in a single container. When all ballots are so deposited, they are randomized as, for example, by a shaking of the container. In the presence of observers ballots are withdrawn one at a time, a number is written on each ballot in consecutive order, and the top candidate name along with the name of the elector are announced. A tally mark is placed next to this candidate's name on the ballot and on the posted candidate list and the ballot is set aside, not to be tallied again. A ballot which does not bear a party-inscribed elector's name and party subdivision, or bears an altered or defaced elector's name or party subdivision shall not be counted. (The numbering of the ballots in the order in which they are tallied permits a recount, if necessary, under identical conditions.)
When the accumulated vote for a candidate reaches the allocation, that candidate is declared elected and the result is recorded on the posted list. No further votes shall be accepted for that candidate on subsequent ballots. The process continues with each top choice among those still in contention being counted until all the ballots are tallied.
If all the available positions have not been filled by candidates who have reached the allocation, those with the largest numbers of votes short of the allocation shall be declared elected to the remaining positions.
A non-secret ballot as described above may not be waived in favor of a secret ballot under any circumstances.
Equal Division of Men and Women. In elections where equal numbers of men and women must be elected as specified in these rules or as required by Democratic National Committee Rules for a national convention, the tallies of votes for women and men are considered separately. If N is an even number, each sex is entitled to half the positions regardless of how many, or whether any, candidates of either sex achieve the allocation. If N is an odd number each sex is entitled, at minimum, to half of N-1 positions with the one remaining position being filled by the candidate with the highest number of votes among all those not yet elected (men and women together). In the event of a tie Rule 18-3 applies. The result is equal division of women and men within a variance of not more than one.
Additional Elections. If in any of the above cases of elections of more than one person to an office all the positions are not filled, another similarly conducted election is held to fill the remaining positions, the number of which being a smaller value of N than in the previous election; V might be different as well. A recalculation of A is required for such an additional election.
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