How to take over your† local government using mathematics
Ruben Seyer (Chalmers University of Technology & University of Gothenburg)
Abstract: † If you are elected in Sweden and under some assumptions
It is a well-known problem that mathematics is easy but politics is difficult. Electoral mathematics is concerned with constructing algorithms that convert vote counts to seat counts. Unfortunately, nobody can agree on what makes such an algorithm "fair". We review some famous theorems that show why. We also review divisor methods, in use in most proportional elections. These satisfy certain satisfying theorems which may be indicative of their "fairness". Finally, we consider some takeover attacks in local councils possible due to mathematical deficiencies in the Swedish electoral system highlighted by Janson & Linusson (2022).
history and overview
Audience: learners
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| Organizers: | Anna Theorin Johansson*, Lotta Eriksson* |
| *contact for this listing |