Question

Here is the preference schedule for a recent election among four candidates:

Number of voters 7 1 11 5 2 19 9
1st choice A X D A X A G
2nd choice X G G G A D X
3rd choice D D A X G X D
4th choice G A X D D G A


How many voters voted in this election?

How many first place votes are needed for a majority?

Which candidate/choice had the most first-place votes?

Which candidate/choice has the least first-place votes?

Which candidate/choice had the most last-place votes?

Which candidate/choice has the least last-place votes?

Answer 1

There were a total of 7 + 1 + 11 + 5 + 2 + 19 + 9 = 44 voters in this election.

To get a majority, a candidate would need at least 44 / 2 + 1 = 23 first place votes.

The candidate with the most first-place votes is A, with a total of 7 + 1 + 5 = 13 first-place votes.

The candidate with the least first-place votes is X, with a total of 1 first-place vote.

The candidate with the most last-place votes is G, with a total of 9 + 2 + 9 = 20 last-place votes.

The candidate with the least last-place votes is X, with a total of 0 last-place votes.

Explanation: