Characterizations of the plurality function (Q1177101)

The plurality function assigns to a profile of individual voter preferences over a set \(A\) of alternatives, the alternative or set of alternatives having the most first place votes. The author gives various sets of axioms on general ``consensus functions'' that characterize the plurality function. Results are obtained in cases where individual preferences are given by rankings (the rank-set setting) and where they are given by first choices (the choices-set setting). The work in the latter setting builds upon and improves characterization obtained by Richelson. The paper closes with a number of interesting open questions.