Please explain how this is done. - T., Feb. 7, 2000
A:
[Note: This answer was revised February 19. - Dwayne Roberts, PRP]
I'll assume the election of the committee is to be by ballot.
I'll also assume the election of alternates is on a separate ballot.
The presiding officer explains that five members will be elected to the committee by plurality; and that after that election is done, two alternates will be elected to the committee by plurality.
He opens nominations for the committee, and writes down the names of the nominees - perhaps on a whiteboard, so everyone can see who's been nominated.
He should continue to take nominations until there are at least five nominees.
When there are no more nominations, he closes nominations.
Ballots are then distributed, and the members are instructed to vote for one.
The five nominees who receive the most votes are elected.
If there is a tie for the last place, a run-off election is held in the same manner, but with only the names of those nominees not elected in the previous election(s), until all five committee positions are filled.
The process is repeated to elect the alternates.
Example: Suppose seven members are nominated, and receive the following votes.
Ann, Gina and Carol are elected to the committee; but there's a tie for the last two seats among Bob, Doug, Eve and Frank, so a run-off is held.
In the run-off, the following votes are cast.
Eve is elected, but there's still a tie for the final seat.
Note that even though Harry wasn't nominated, he can still receive votes.
In the next run-off, the votes are:
And Harry is elected to the final seat.