In the analysis of voting systems, a clone is an additional candidate who appears as attractive to each voter as an existing candidate. In preference voting systems, voters will rank apparently identical candidates next to each other. Voters at the voting booths in the US in 1945 Voting systems are methods (algorithms) for groups of people to select one or more options from many, taking into account the individual preferences of the group members. ... Term preferential voting (also known as the preference voting) has several different meanings: (1) A ranked ballot or preferential voting system is a type of voting system in which each voter casts their vote by ranking candidates in order of preference. ...
In some systems, the introduction of a clone will divide support between the similar candidates, making it less likely either will be elected. In some other systems, the presense of a clone will reduce support for dissimilar candidates, making it more likely that one (or more) of the similar candidates will be elected. In remaining systems, the introduction of clones will not affect the chances that one of the similar candidates will be elected.
The first-past-the-post electoral system is a voting system for single-member districts, variously called first-past-the-post (FPTP or FPP), winner-take-all, plurality voting, or relative majority. ...
In the analysis of voting systems, a clone is an additional candidate who appears as attractive to each voter as an existing candidate.
In some other systems, the presence of a clone will tend to reduce support for dissimilar candidates, making it more likely that one (or more) of the similar candidates will be elected.
There are further systems where the effect of the introduction of clones depends on the distribution of other votes.