Books and People

Books on Approval Voting

• Approval Voting (1983) by Steven J. Brams and Peter C. Fishburn. Birkhauser-Boston. This is an excellent book although a bit technical at times. It is getting quite difficult to find a copy, however the current holder of the publishing rights, Springer-Verlag, has expressed some interest in the publication of an updated edition.
• Making Multicandidate Elections More Democratic (1988) by Samual Merrill. Princeton University Press. This book is also highly recommended for its strong analysis.

Important People in the Approval Voting Movement

Dr. Steven J. Brams, New York University

For over 20 years Dr. Brams has been the most prominent supporter of Approval Voting. An expert in game theory, Dr. Brams has written many articles and one book on the topic of Approval Voting. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Citizens for Approval Voting.

Dr. Robert J. Weber, Northwestern University

Dr. Weber was one of five independent parties that independently discovered the value of Approval Voting during the late 1970s. Dr. Weber coined the name "Approval Voting" and thus has played a unique and important role in the Approval Voting movement. He continues to work in this area and developed a "Voter Equilibria" theory in conjunction with Dr. Roger Myerson.

Sam Merrill III, Wilkes University

Theoretician, computer expert, and author of "Making Multicandidate Elections More Democratic", an important book about alternative voting systems.

Peter C. Fishburn, Bell Labs, Retired

Developed novel mathematical techniques and software for analyzing voting systems. Co-wrote the book, Approval Voting.

Bart Ingles, Bradley Lehman, Ky Kimport, Paul Hager

Individual advocates for Approval Voting who have each published notable articles about Approval Voting.

Neal McBurnett

Keeper of the Approval Voting Home Page, the first Approval Voting website.

Russ Paielli and Mike Ossipoff

Creators of the ElectionMethods.org website and instigators of many interesting discussions about voting systems. Wrote an important article supporting Approval Voting.

Dr. Dudley R. Hershbach, Harvard University

Co-winner of the Nobel prize for Chemistry who also co-wrote an important article advocating Approval Voting that appeared in the magazine Science.

Rob LeGrand and Robert "Rock" Howard

Election reform advocates who saw the need for this organization as well as the lobbying organization, Americans for Approval Voting. Rock currently serves as President and Rob as Secretary for Citizens for Approval Voting.