An Exploration of the Application of the Banzhaf Power Index to Weighted Voting Systems

Authors

Elise Buckley, Juniata CollegeFollow

Abstract

In a weighted voting system, each player has a certain number of votes. A coalition of players can pass a measure if the total of their votes meets or exceeds a fixed quota. One example is the United States Electoral College. A player's power is measured by the Banzhaf Power Index, which counts the number of coalitions that need that player's votes to pass a measure. This research looks at how changing the quota affects the players' power in 3, 4, and 5-player weighted voting systems.

Author Bio

I graduated Juniata College in May 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. While at college I also studied Physics and completed some research in nuclear physics. I currently work in science outreach.

Faculty Sponsor

Cathy Stenson

Recommended Citation

Buckley, Elise (2010) "An Exploration of the Application of the Banzhaf Power Index to Weighted Voting Systems," Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal: Vol. 11: Iss. 1, Article 9.
Available at: https://scholar.rose-hulman.edu/rhumj/vol11/iss1/9