AMDM Voting Methods & Fairness Criteria Performance Task

MAMDMA4: Students will analyze and evaluate the mathematics behind various methods of voting and selection.
a. Evaluate various voting and selection processes to determine an appropriate method for a given situation.
b. Apply various ranking algorithms to determine an appropriate method for a given situation.
Part 1: Voting Methods and Fairness Criteria (30 points)
Consider the following preference table involving 5 candidates:
Number of Votes
2
6
1st Choice
A
C
B
2nd Choice
E
A
E
3rd Choice
C
E
A
4th Choice
D
B
C
th
5 Choice
B
D
D
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.

8
D
C
E
A
B

4
A
B
E
C
D

Determine the winner of the election using the Plurality Method. Blooms Level 3/DOK 2
Determine the winner of the election using the Borda Count Method. Blooms Level 3/DOK 2
Determine the winner of the election using the Condorcet Method. Blooms Level 3/DOK 2
Determine the winner of the election using the Plurality with Elimination Method. Blooms Level 3/DOK 2
Given your responses in a-d, determine whether the each method meets the Majority Criterion and the Condorcet
Criterion. Provide evidence for your response. Blooms Level 4/DOK 3
If candidate D drops out of the election, which, if any, of the voting methods satisfies the Irrelevant Alternatives Criterion?
Provide evidence supporting your response. Blooms Level 4/DOK 3
Suppose that the voters in the last column (who voted ABECD) change their votes to match those in the first column
(AECDB). Which, if any, of the voting methods satisfies the Monotonicity Criterion? Provide evidence supporting your
response. Blooms Level 4/DOK 3

Part 2: Create Your Own Method (52 points)

Consider the original preference table from above. Design a voting method in which candidate E wins the election. Be sure to take
the following into consideration: Blooms Level 6/DOK 4
Does your method actually declare E as the winner?
How clearly do you describe your method? After reading your description, I should know EXACTLY how to use your
method in ANY election. It might be a good idea for you to look at the student work posted on the board and read
the commentary provided by Dr. Williams and Coach Herr.
How natural and simple is your method? Something like arrange the candidates in reverse alphabetical order
would declare E the winner, but it a totally inappropriate method. You need to include some form of mathematics
in your response.
Part 3: Group Grading (18 points)
Group Member:
All the Time (3)

Most of the Time (2)

Participated in group work

Maintained focus on the
task at hand
Offered to help others or
sought help when needed
Asked questions that
moved the discussion along
Contributed ideas, opinions,
and feelings
Provided positive feedback
to other group members
Total Score
/18

Some of the Time (1)

Never (0)

Rubric for Scoring Parts 1 and 2 of Voting Methods & Fairness Criteria Performance Task
Score
Part1/Part 2
30/52

Criteria
Exemplary Response
Gives a complete response with a clear, coherent, elegant explanation and strong supporting
arguments; includes clear diagrams, examples, and/or counterexamples as appropriate; communicates
effectively to the identified audience; identifies all the important elements of the problem.

25/43

Competent Response
Gives a fairly complete response with clear explanations and solid supporting arguments, may include
diagrams; communicates effectively to the identified audience; identifies most important elements of
the problem.

20/34

Satisfactory Response
Completes the problem satisfactorily, but the explanation, the argument, and/or the diagram may be
unclear or inappropriate; understands and uses the underlying mathematical ideas effectively.

15/25

Nearly Satisfactory Response

Begins the problem appropriately but may fail to complete or may omit significant parts of the problem;
may fail to demonstrate full understanding of the mathematical concepts; may make major
computational errors; math terminology may be missing or inappropriate; may reflect an incorrect
strategy.

10/17

Fails to Complete the Problem

Explanation is not understandable; diagram may be unclear; misunderstands the problem situation; may
make major computational errors.

5/8

Unable to Begin Effectively

Words, drawings do not reflect the problem; fails to indicate which information is appropriate.

0/0

No Attempt
Makes no attempt to solve the problem.