Schulze method

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The Schulze method (/ˈʃʊltsə/) is a single winner ranked-choice voting rule developed by Markus Schulze. It is also known as the beatpath method. The Schulze method is a Condorcet method, which means it will elect a majority-choice candidate if one exists; in other words, if most people rank A above B, A will defeat B (whenever this is possible).

Schulze's method is based on the idea of breaking cyclic ties by using indirect victories. The idea is that if Alice beats Bob, and Bob beats Charlie, then Alice (indirectly) beats Charlie; this kind of indirect win is called a beatpath.

For proportional representation, a single transferable vote (STV) variant known as Schulze STV also exists. The Schulze method is used by several organizations including Debian, Ubuntu, Gentoo, Pirate Party political parties and many others. It was also used by Wikimedia prior to their adoption of score voting.