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# The de Borda Experiment
- URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/the-de-borda-experiment/
- Published: 2008-01-29T13:01:30.000Z
- Updated: 2019-02-14T22:44:02.000Z
- Author: openDemocracy Supporters
- Tags: #en, #Migrated, #Import 2026-04-09 18:59

**Home** ¦ [About](https://www.opendemocracy.net/deborda/about) ¦ University Signup (closed) ¦ Public Signup (closed) ¦ [Guidlines & Schedule](https://www.opendemocracy.net/deborda/guidelines%5Fand%5Fschedule) ¦ [Contact](https://www.opendemocracy.net/deborda/contact)

**The experiment:** 

Phase 1: ["Ideas" forum](https://www.opendemocracy.net/forums/the%5Fdeborda%5Fexperiment/phase%5F1) (closed) ¦ Phase 2: ["Debate" forum](https://www.opendemocracy.net/forums/the%5Fdeborda%5Fexperiment/phase%5F2) (closed) ¦ Phase 3: ["Ballot" forum](https://www.opendemocracy.net/forums/the%5Fdeborda%5Fexperiment/phase%5F3) (closed) ¦ [Vote](https://www.opendemocracy.net/deborda/vote) (closed) ¦ [The results](https://www.opendemocracy.net/deborda/results)

**An experiment in consensus voting and e-democracy** 

The [de Borda Institute](http://www.deborda.org/?ref=opendemocracy.net), the [New Economics Foundation](http://www.neweconomics.org/gen/?ref=opendemocracy.net) (***nef***) and [OurKingdom](http://ourkingdom.opendemocracy.net/?ref=opendemocracy.net) (openDemocracy's UK politics section) are collaborating in an innovative experiment in online consensus decision making. This is the project's homepage.  

**NEWS:**

**26/03** \- The results have now been published. You can see them above, and also leave feedback on the process at the bottom of the page. A huge thank you from us at openDemocracy, de Borda and the nef to everyone who took part - we've learnt a large and valuable amount about the process. 

**17/03 -** The vote is closed and the experiment is now over. If you took part you will be emailed shortly with the results and conclusions arising from the experiment.

**09/03** \- The final phase - the vote - is now open! Please click on the link above to cast your vote.

**07/03** \- Phase 3 of the project is now shut. Only one phase remains - the vote - which opens soon!

**04/03** \- Phase 3 of the project is underway. This is your last chance to review the ballot paper and suggest modifications and improvements.

**03/03** \- Phase 2 of the project is now shut.

**01/03** \- Peter Emerson is blogging about consensus voting and the experience of running this trial. Read his blog [here](https://www.opendemocracy.net/blog/peter%5Femerson). And don't forget there are only a few days left to get involved with phase 2!

**26/02/08** \- Phase 2 of the project is underway. After a lot of painstaking work, the consensors have turned the 100+ ideas submitted in Phase 1 into a draft list of options for debate in phase 2\. The list of options will eventually go on to form the ballot paper for the vote - but first, they are open to debate. Which options would you support? Which would you get rid of? Have your say by clicking on the phase 2 link above.

**25/02/08** \- Signup for the project is now closed.

**25/02/08** \- Phase 1 of the trial is complete. Thanks to everyone who left comments - turnout was very high and we had a rich discussion to kick us off. The discussion will remain archived - you can see it by clicking "Phase 1 forum" above. Phase 2 will open soon - participants will be emailed with more details shortly.

**19/02/08** \- The trial has begun! To participate, click on the "Phase 1 forum" link above!

**18/02/08** \- The trial opens later on today - all participants will receive an email explaining how to participate - but we have decided to leave signup open for another week, as the first stage of the trial progresses. So far over 250 people have registered to take part - but please forward the invitation on to friends or colleagues who might be interested!

**14/02/08** \- Peter Emerson, director of the de Borda institute, has written an article on the theory and history of the modified borda count. Read it [here](https://www.opendemocracy.net/deborda/articles/consensus%5Fvoting%5Fand%5Fconflict%5Fresolution). He has also published a letter to the Guardian on David Miliband's recent speech - what type of democracy should we be exporting? Read it [here](http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/feb/14/foreignpolicy?ref=opendemocracy.net) (halfway down the page).

**30/01/08** \- Signup opens! If you are a member of a UK university, please go to the [university signup form](https://www.opendemocracy.net/deborda/signup%5Funiversity). If you want to take part in the public constituency, please visit the [public signup form](https://www.opendemocracy.net/deborda/signup%5Fpublic).