The irrationality of the California gubernatorial recall system

We analyze California’s gubernatorial recall system using basic ideas from the mathematical theory of social choice. We expose some pathologies of the system, use computer simulations to explore how often these pathologies might occur, investigate the effects of strategic voting on the analysis, and suggest changes to the system that cure the pathologies.

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Publication Details

Journal
The Mathematics Enthusiast
Published
2025-09-09
DOI
https://doi.org/10.54870/1551-3440.1693
Primary Topic
Law, Rights, and Freedoms
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

The irrationality of the California gubernatorial recall system

Wesley H. Hollday, Eric Pacuit
The Mathematics Enthusiast
Law, Rights, and Freedoms
article

The irrationality of the California gubernatorial recall system

Wesley H. Hollday, Eric Pacuit
article en

Abstract

We analyze California’s gubernatorial recall system using basic ideas from the mathematical theory of social choice. We expose some pathologies of the system, use computer simulations to explore how often these pathologies might occur, investigate the effects of strategic voting on the analysis, and suggest changes to the system that cure the pathologies.

The Mathematics EnthusiastVol. 23(3)
University of Pennsylvania
Openalex Percentile: Top 67%
Law, Rights, and Freedoms
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The irrationality of the California gubernatorial recall system — Wesley H. Hollday, Eric Pacuit · The Mathematics Enthusiast (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS