how about something like this

SF
Want to attend
Can attend, but prefer Seattle
Can't attend.

Seattle
Want to attend
Can attend, but prefer SF
Can't attend.

The first thing we look at is which city is most popular (want to attend) .

Then, we look at who can't attend, and hope that the majority of those who can't attend is the opposite of the city that everyone wants to attend.

If the number of people who cannot attend is greater than the number of people who can attend the "want to attend" city, then we review the "prefer" question, to see if we add those to the number of people who can attend, we can find a majority.

Does that make sense? I mean, it makes sense to me, but my mind can be a dark and twisty place.

Or is that how the whole four part answer combines the three questions, and I'm just too dense to see it? Seriously, some one tell me.

I think I understand what you're getting at, although you loose me a little there in the middle.

Sean, I don't understand what you're asking.

I mean, it makes sense to me, but my mind can be a dark and twisty place.

That's why we like it. Your model is more or less what I was looking for, I think.

I'm in, no matter what. (I have an "aunt" we'll visit in WA, if it goes that way...she's a real person, just not a bio aunt, more de facto.) But cautious optimism because I thought I was travelling this year, too, you know.

I think I understand what you're getting at, although you loose me a little there in the middle.

hell, I lose me :)

Perhaps an example.

Let's say that 10 people pick SF as "want to attend", 8 people pick Seattle as "want to attend". At first glance, SF wins.

9 people say that they "can't attend" SF and 5 people say that they "can't attend Seattle". But, 4 of the SF people also said "prefer SF, but would go to Seattle".

Because more people can't attend SF, we throw the "would go to Settle votes" to "yes", and makes a total of 12 people for Seattle, 6 for SF, but only 5 who can't go to Seattle, as opposed to 9 who cant' attend SF.

Is that better.

Stop! You're making my head hurt, girl.

My vote will be easy. I adore both cities and have no preference for one over the other. Whether I actually can ATTEND will be determined much closer to the actual dates.

I'm inclined to want something like:

0 = can't attend

1 = would attend (no preference)

2 = would LOVE to attend (strong preference)

City with the most points wins. It's simple, and takes both preference and ability into account.

There are two important totals: Who wants a given city, and who can go to a given city. The latter should be the priority -- correct? But the former will be considered.

oh, that's good too. Of course, it's less complicated, and I'm not sure if that's a violation of Buffista principles, but okay.