8. In case of a tie between candidates or parties the lot decides.
The alternative plan for rule 4, which is somewhat simpler, would read as follows:—
4. Each elector to vote for half the number of candidates that there are seats, i.e., three votes in a five or six-seat electorate, four votes in a seven or eight-seat electorate, &c. The votes to be distributed as he pleases among all the candidates of both lists.
It is unnecessary to dwell on the absolute simplicity of these rules. They involve no radical departure from existing methods of voting or of counting votes. Once the totals are added up, the calculations necessary to decide the successful candidates are within the reach of a school child.
EXAMPLE.—Take as an example 13 candidates in a six-seat electorate who poll as follows:—
| MINISTERIALISTS. | OPPOSITIONISTS. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BROWN | 83,000 | YOUNG | 53,000 | |
| RYAN | 74,000 | BELL | 51,000 | |
| COX | 44,000 | HUME | 47,000 | |
| WHITE | 42,000 | JONES | 45,000 | |
| PEEL | 38,000 | BLACK | 34,000 | |
| ADAMS | 35,000 | --------- 230,000 | ||
| GREY | 33,000 | |||
| SWIFT | 21,000 | |||
| --------- 370,000 | ||||
Total votes = 370,000 + 230,000 = 600,000.
Unit of representation = 600,000/6 = 100,000.
Ministerialists: 3 units + 70,000 remainder = 4 seats.
Oppositionists: 2 units + 30,000 remainder = 2 seats.