Class 14

Discussion

Read the article "Probability experts may decide Pennsylvania vote" and discuss the following questions:
  1. How did Professor Ashenfelter get that Republican's 564 vote edge on the machines should have led to a 133-vote advatange in absentee ballots?
  2. The Times says that "The probability that the unusual results ...were simply caused by random variations in voting patterns is just 6%." Comment.
  3. Do you think that large-scale fraud took place during this election? If so, who do you think would have won the election if there had been no fraud?
  4. What would you do if your were the judge? Seat Marks? Call a new election? Seat Stinson?