Weight Calculation
Main Formula
The weight of a citizen's vote when voting on a specific issue is determined as:
Vote_weight = 1 + Σ (Competency_share_i × Multiplier_i)
Where:
1— the base vote weight (every citizen has this)Competency_share_i— the percentage of the i-th competency in the distribution for the given issueMultiplier_i— the amplification for having the i-th competency
For citizens without professional competencies, the vote weight equals 1 (base).
Detailed Example
Conditions
Consider a vote on a law banning GMOs.
Competency distribution:
| Competency | Share |
|---|---|
| Genetics | 70% |
| Ecology | 15% |
| Agricultural economics | 10% |
| Public health | 5% |
Voting participants:
- Total number of voters: 100,000 people
- Of these, professional geneticists: 500 people
- Other competencies are omitted for simplicity
Calculation
Step 1: Determining the multiplier for geneticists
The multiplier for a competency is determined through its share:
Multiplier_genetics = Share_genetics × 10 = 0.70 × 10 = 7
The coefficient 10 is the base amplification factor, which can be adjusted depending on the voting level.
Step 2: Calculating vote weights
| Cohort | Count | Vote Weight | Total Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular citizens | 99,500 | 1 | 99,500 |
| Geneticists | 500 | 1 + 7 = 8 | 500 × 8 = 4,000 |
| Total | 100,000 | 103,500 |
Step 3: Analysis
- Weight contribution of 500 geneticists:
4,000 / 103,500 ≈ 3.86%of the final result - Weight contribution of 99,500 others:
99,500 / 103,500 ≈ 96.14%of the final result
Thus, 0.5% of participants (geneticists) contribute 3.86% of the final result. Experts carry additional weight, but do not dominate the outcome: their influence is decisive only when the general vote is close.
Example with Multiple Competencies
Consider a citizen who has competencies in both genetics and ecology.
Vote_weight = 1 + (0.70 × 10) + (0.15 × 10) = 1 + 7 + 1.5 = 9.5
Their vote weighs 9.5 — more than a specialist in only one field.
Threshold Values
Minimum Competency Threshold
Not every diploma holder automatically receives the full multiplier. The multiplier can scale depending on the competency level (determined by the peer-based system):
| Competency Level | Percentage of Full Multiplier |
|---|---|
| Entry (diploma only) | 25% |
| Intermediate (diploma + peer evaluation) | 50% |
| High (significant peer evaluation) | 75% |
| Expert (maximum peer evaluation) | 100% |
Example for a geneticist:
- Entry level:
1 + 7 × 0.25 = 2.75 - Expert level:
1 + 7 × 1.0 = 8
Maximum Weight
To prevent excessive influence by a single person, a ceiling on maximum vote weight may be established:
Vote_weight = min(Calculated_weight, Max_weight)
Recommended ceiling: 10 (a vote cannot weigh more than 10 times the base weight).
Edge Cases
Issue Without Competencies
If an issue is not tagged with any competencies (e.g., a question of public morality), all votes have equal weight of 1. The weight system does not apply.
Very Few Professionals
If very few professionals are registered in the system for a given competency (e.g., 5 people), their combined weight may be disproportionately large. In such cases, a corrective coefficient may be applied.
Conflict of Interest
Professionals who have a direct financial or other interest in the outcome of a vote may be flagged in the system (based on public declarations). This does not deprive them of their right to vote, but information about a potential conflict of interest is available to everyone.
Formula Summary Table
| Parameter | Formula |
|---|---|
| Base weight | 1 |
| Competency multiplier | Competency_share × Base_amplification_factor |
| Weight with level | Multiplier × Competency_level_percentage |
| Final vote weight | 1 + Σ(Weight_with_level_i) |
| Capped weight | min(Final_weight, Max_weight) |
| Cohort total weight | Number_of_people × Vote_weight |
Next: Law Lifecycle →