Interested in moving to Nauru?

Nauru is unlike other countries in many ways: they do not collect personal taxes, they have no armed forces, and it is it the smallest island nation in the world (and third smallest nation, only behind Monaco and Vatican City). Another unique characteristic is that they are one of the only countries that use the Borda count in their national elections. In fact, they use a decimalized version of the Borda count called the Dowdall system, so the first choice receives 1 point, the second 1/2 point, the third 1/3 point, and so on with the last choice receiving 1/n points. This modification of the Borda count is extremely unique, and the only other time a similar system was used was in a 1925 Oklahoma primary election before it was ruled unconstitutional by the Oklahoma State Supreme Court.

Nauruans used this rare system just last week when their 7,000 registered voters went to the polls to select a new parliament made up of nineteen members from eight constituencies. Even though they have a very small electorate, voters could still choose from two to four candidates, and in the largest constituency, voters had to rank their preferences for eighteen candidates. (If you want even more economics to consider, think about the costs and benefits of learning about 18 candidates when the unemployment rate is over 90%.) If you want to see the Borda count in action, start arranging your travel now because you will need a tourist visa to be one of their 200 visitors per year!