The Plurality Winner Loses the Count

Nineteen voters rank four candidates (Ash, Birch, Cedar, Dogwood) from most to least preferred. The ballots fall into four blocs: - 7 voters: Ash > Birch > Cedar > Dogwood - 5 voters: Birch > Cedar > Dogwood > Ash - 4 voters: Cedar > Birch > Dogwood > Ash - 3 voters: Dogwood > Birch > Cedar > Ash Plurality would elect the candidate with the most first-place votes. Instead the election uses the Borda count: each ballot gives 3 points to its top choice, 2 to its second, 1 to its third and 0 to its last. Which candidate wins the Borda count? Answer with the candidate's name.

• game theory

Source: Classic illustration of plurality versus Borda count, a theme going back to Borda (1781) and Condorcet; numbers chosen for AxiomIQ. Statement written for AxiomIQ.