Marius Comper

Civic puzzle · 8–12 minutes · synthetic data

Same Ballots, Three Winners

The same nine ballots can elect three winners. Can you predict them? Open the box and count the votes three ways.

Open the box and play

Every person, proposal and voting profile is fictional.

01 / Counting Room

Four plans for Linden Street Square. You count the votes.

Decision 1 of 6
Nine ranked ballots
  1. 1Grove
  2. 2Fountain
  3. 3Hall
  4. 4Stage
  1. 1Grove
  2. 2Fountain
  3. 3Hall
  4. 4Stage
  1. 1Grove
  2. 2Fountain
  3. 3Hall
  4. 4Stage
  1. 1Stage
  2. 2Hall
  3. 3Fountain
  4. 4Grove
  1. 1Stage
  2. 2Hall
  3. 3Fountain
  4. 4Grove
  1. 1Hall
  2. 2Grove
  3. 3Fountain
  4. 4Stage
  1. 1Hall
  2. 2Grove
  3. 3Fountain
  4. 4Stage
  1. 1Stage
  2. 2Hall
  3. 3Grove
  4. 4Fountain
  1. 1Stage
  2. 2Hall
  3. 3Grove
  4. 4Fountain
GroveFountainHallStage
Go to the question
Inspect the ballots
  1. One vote for rank 1
  2. 3–2–1–0 points
  3. Eliminate and transfer

Counting Room

Predict the winner when only rank 1 counts.

Open the box and read the nine rankings. Then choose the winner before you see the count.

02 / File

Sources and limits

The counting methods are real. The square, plans and every ballot were invented for the game so each rule’s effect stays visible.

Open the source ledger
  1. Jean-Charles de Borda’s 1784 memorandum, facsimile and transcription
  2. Australian Electoral Commission: counting and transferring preferences
  3. ACE Electoral Knowledge Network: definition of plurality systems
  4. Nobel Prize: Kenneth Arrow’s framing of the limits of preference aggregation

The game does not simulate turnout, campaigning, negotiation, strategic voting or preference changes after a withdrawal. No method is presented as best in every situation.