PinnedAbout the authorWho I am and why you should follow and subscribe — So hi. I’m Tomas McIntee. I’m a mathematician and social scientist with a doctorate from UC-Irvine and several lower-level degrees from Appalachian State University (master’s in math, bachelors’ in physics, math, philosophy & religion). I’m fueled by coffee and curiosity. It happens that I think a lot — and carefully…About Me2 min read
Published in Basic Voting Theory·2 days agoProportional representationPragmatic reform and mathematical complication — Most political scientists interested in electoral reform are big fans of something called proportional representation. What is proportional representation? What can proportional representation do to improve the democratic processes that create your government? What are some examples of proportional representation in action? What are the limitations of proportional representation?Basic Voting Theory10 min read
Published in Basic Voting Theory·Apr 9The Condorcet MethodOr rather, methods. — One of the people who arguably founded the modern field of voting theory was Marie Jean Antoine Nicolas de Caritat, better known by his title of Marquis de Condorcet. He was a mathematician and political philosopher, whose more political work eventually brought his life to an untimely end in 1794. …Voting Theory6 min read
Published in Electoral University Press·Nov 28, 2021The extra “senator” electorsIn the American presidential election system, each state is entitled to a number of electors in the Electoral College equal to its total… — In the American presidential election system, each state is entitled to a number of electors in the Electoral College equal to its total Congressional representation, including its two Senators. This fuels the most pernicious myths about the Electoral College system: The idea that the Electoral College protects small states’ interests…Electoral College8 min read
Nov 27, 2021Where did all the good Medium pieces go?They aren’t showing up in my feed very much. — People I follow on Medium have been writing good follow-on articles to the ones I’ve seen before. People I don’t follow on Medium have also been writing about topics I’m interested in. I’ve given Medium a lot of data for me as a reader! I’ve clapped, I’ve commented, I’ve followed……Medium3 min read
Published in Basic Voting Theory·Nov 25, 2021STAR votingA voting system in profile — The other voting systems I’ve discussed in this series so far have been well-known in voting theory circles for at least half a century. The STAR voting system is a newcomer. To the best of my knowledge, the system was invented in 2014 by election reform activists, under the name…Basic Voting Theory9 min read
Nov 20, 2021The 2021 NC congressional mapA nonpartisan analysis of a partisan gerrymander — Here is the newly-passed North Carolina congressional district map. It is a partisan gerrymander. I can tell this at a glance without having to consult the estimated election results. North Carolina has a long history of gerrymandering (by both parties), including the previous map. The basic red flags to be…Gerrymandering5 min read
Nov 17, 2021See me elsewhereI’m going to Substack. No, I’m not leaving Medium yet. — I’ve noticed that in the last few months, my Medium traffic numbers have been down, both for new articles and old articles, with the notable exception of “No, Trump is not the fattest president,” which is apparently evergreen. Maybe it’s the Medium algorithm. Maybe I’m having trouble getting visibility on…Substack1 min read
Nov 9, 2021Drawing a nonpartisan NC mapAn annotated congressional district map drawing from an independent — North Carolina’s congressional districts have had perennial problems with gerrymandering by both parties. The last congressional district map, which I analyzed in this article, was only in place for a single cycle; North Carolina needs a new map. One has been passed by the legislature. In what follows, I will…Gerrymandering6 min read
Published in Basic Voting Theory·Oct 30, 2021The Borda countA voting method in profile — The Borda count is one of the more mathematically elegant alternatives to a plurality vote. Its inventor, Jean Charles de Borda, is one of the two Frenchmen who arguably started the modern field of voting theory. For the entire history of the field, the Borda count has stayed relevant as…Voting Theory10 min read
