1.3 The Plurality Method and Condorcet Criterion
Plurality Voting Method
• In this method, the choice with the most first-preference votes is declared the
winner. Ties are possible, and would have to be settled through some sort of run-
off vote
• This method is sometimes mistakenly called the majority method, or “majority
rules”, but it is not necessary for a choice to have gained a majority of votes to
win. A majority is over 50%. It is horrible for a winner to have a plurality without
having a majority.
Examples:
1. A survey asks to rank which West coast state people would prefer to live. The
results are below. Using the plurality method, select the winner.
C = California O = Oregon W = Washington
Number of
Voters
75 94 51 12 43 25
1st Choice C C O O W W
2nd Choice O W W C C O
3d Choice W O C W O C
Total votes: 300
C: 75 + 94 = 169
O: 51 + 12 = 63
W: 43 +25 = 68
California received the most first choice votes so they are the plurality winner
Since 160/300 = 56.39 so California would also be the majority winner
*remember- winner does not have to be the majority winner to be the
plurality winner*
2. A small group of college students rank the best destination for Spring Break.
Determine the winner using the plurality method.
S = San Diego L = Lake Havasu R = Rocky Point
Number of
Voters
4 4 2 5 2
1st Choice S S L R R
2nd Choice L R R S L
3rd Choice R L S L S
Total votes: 17
S: 4 + 4 = 8
L: 2
R: 5 + 2 = 7
San Diego received the most first choice votes so they are the plurality
winner.
Although they are the plurality winner, 8/17 = 47.17 which is not the majority
percent so they would not be the majority winner.
