The most complicated electoral system

Francesco da Mosto is an engaging TV presenter and Mrs NotaSheep is a bit of a fan of the smooth Venetian. Tonight we were watching Francesco's Venice, a good film about one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The aspect that caught my attention was the complicated method of electing the Doge.

Wikipedia summarises the rules thus:

"New regulations for the elections of the doge introduced in 1268 remained in force until the end of the republic in 1797. Their object was to minimize as far as possible the influence of individual great families, and this was effected by a complex elective machinery. Thirty members of the Great Council, chosen by lot, were reduced by lot to nine; the nine chose forty and the forty were reduced by lot to twelve, who chose twenty-five. The twenty-five were reduced by lot to nine and the nine elected forty-five. Then the forty-five were once more reduced by lot to eleven, and the eleven finally chose the forty-one who actually elected the doge"

That is only a brief summary; for the full rules and an analysis of how the system worked (with some formidable formulae) please take a look at this.


Absolutely fascinating...