The Power of None

Neal D Hulkower,John Neatrour

doi:10.1177/2158244019837468

Abstract

Borda with None (BwN) adds the binding option of “None of these candidates,” N, to the Borda Count (BC), differing from a method of Dodgson in the scoring of ties. The method incorporates the benefits of approval voting, which allows a simple yes/no vote on each candidate and avoids the disadvantages of adding N as a binding outcome to plurality voting. We prove that BwN uniquely satisfies five rational properties which can be viewed as potential axioms that provide a theoretical basis for the method. It allows individual voters to express a personal veto over all or part of the slate which could, with sufficient numbers, become a veto by the electorate. The power of none, then, is offering a voice to otherwise disaffected voters. We introduce a metric similar to one used in the Bak–Sneppen Evolutionary model, candidate fitness, a number between 0 and 1, which measures a candidate’s ranking relative to N. We illustrate its evolution with a hypothetical example. We examine courses of action if N is ranked in the first place. Using BwN to accommodate partial voting is proposed. We explore the general applicability of BwN. Finally, we address the practical considerations for introducing BwN.

Highlights

—Karl Kraus “. . .I do not feel compelled to vote . . . if I think that none of the parties or candidates deserves to be supported.”
While the reasons people choose not to vote are numerous (Blais, 2000), many cite not liking the candidates or issues as the primary explanation. This was the primary reason given by 12.9% of the 15,167 nonvoters polled after the 2008 U.S presidential election (U.S Census Bureau, 2012, Table 12), by 12.7% of the 19,141 nonvoters polled after the 2012 U.S presidential election (U.S Census Bureau, 2013, Table 10), and by 24.8% of the 18,933 nonvoters polled after the 2016 U.S presidential election (U.S Census Bureau, 2017, Table 10)
Borda with None (BwN) inherits the unique properties of the Borda Count (BC) and shares its theoretical foundation

Summary

Introduction

—Karl Kraus “. . .I do not feel compelled to vote . . . if I think that none of the parties or candidates deserves to be supported.”. Positional voting requires voters to rank order their preferences and assigns a specific number of points to each candidate based on rank.

Results

Conclusion