Divisor-Based Biproportional Apportionment in Electoral Systems: A Real-Life Benchmark Study

  • Biproportional apportionment methods provide two-way proportionality in electoral systems where the electoral region is subdivided into electoral districts. The problem is to assign integral values to the elements of a matrix that are proportional to a given input matrix, and such that a set of row- and column-sum requirements are fulfilled. In a divisor-based method for biproportional apportionment the problem is solved by computing appropriate row- and column-divisors, and by rounding the quotients. We present a comprehensive experimental evaluation of divisor-based biproportional apportionment in an electoral system context. Firstly, we study the practical performance of a range of algorithms by performing experiments on real-life benchmark instances (election data with multi-member districts). Secondly, we evaluate the general quality of divisor-based apportionments with respect to, e.g., deviation from quota, reversal orderings and occurrences of ties.

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Metadaten
Author:Sebastian MaierGND, Petur Zachariassen, Martin Zachariasen
URN:urn:nbn:de:bvb:384-opus4-4777
Frontdoor URLhttps://opus.bibliothek.uni-augsburg.de/opus4/600
Series (Serial Number):Preprints des Instituts für Mathematik der Universität Augsburg (2007-39)
Type:Preprint
Language:English
Publishing Institution:Universität Augsburg
Release Date:2007/11/26
Tag:Proportional representation; Biproportional divisor method; simulation study; Electoral systems with several electoral districts
GND-Keyword:Wahlsystem; Wahlverfahren; Verhältniswahl; Computersimulation
Institutes:Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlich-Technische Fakultät
Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlich-Technische Fakultät / Institut für Mathematik
Dewey Decimal Classification:5 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik / 51 Mathematik / 510 Mathematik