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CON file format
pyRCV2 accepts the specification of constraints in a nonstandard file format, referred to as a CON file. The CON format is inspired by the standard BLT file format used for ballot data.
Suppose there are 7 candidates in the election. An example CON file is as follows:
"Gender" "Men" 0 99 2 3 4 6
"Gender" "Women" 2 99 1 5 7
"District" "District 1" 2 2 1 2 3
"District" "District 2" 2 2 4 5 6 7
For the purpose of constraints, one or more categories are established (in the example, ‘Gender’ and ‘District’). Each category contains one or more groups. Within each category, every candidate must be assigned to exactly one group. The constraints are placed on groups, such that a certain minimum number, and a certain maximum number, must be elected from each group.
If there is no minimum for a particular group, specify 0. If there is no maximum for a particular group, specify any number greater than or equal to the number of candidates in the group.
If there are candidates who do not fit into any group within a particular category, assign those candidates to a placeholder group with a minimum of 0 and a maximum greater than or equal to the number of candidates in the group.
For example, the line "Gender" "Men" 0 99 2 3 4 6 means that within the ‘Gender’ category ‘Men’ group, a minimum of 0 candidates and a maximum of 99 candidates can be elected (i.e. there are no constraints). The candidates in the ‘Men’ group are candidates 2, 3, 4 and 6 (in the order listed in the BLT file).
The remaining lines indicate that a minimum of 2 women must be elected (with a maximum of 99, i.e. no maximum), and exactly 2 candidates must be elected from each of districts 1 and 2.
Every line describes one group within a category, and every group must be described on its own line.