A press release from LoneStarCon 3, the recently concluded WorldCon:
For the second time in 10 years, it took the third round of balloting to declare the Spokane bid as the winner of the 2015 WorldCon Site Selection, while it only took one round for Detroit to win the 2014 NASFiC.
During the first round of the Australian-style balloting for the 2015 WorldCon, all of the votes are counted by the first choice. Although Helsinki had the most votes with 528, it did not have the required 665 needed to win (based on the total number of 1348 valid votes cast).
After the first round, there is a redistribution of all None Of The Above and Write-In ballots to one of the three legitimate bidding cities (Helsinki, Orlando, and Spokane) and No Preference, if that ballot had a second choice on it.
After the second round, Orlando was dropped from the running after totaling 307 votes, compared to Helsinki’s 533 votes and Spokane’s 481 (but were far below the 661 votes needed to win on that round). Then there was a redistribution of the Orlando, Write-in, and None Of The Above ballots to either Helsinki or Spokane or No Preference, if one of them was marked on the ballot.
After the third round, Spokane was declared the winner, receiving 645 votes to Helsinki’s 610 (with 628 votes needed to win on that round).
In addition, in the first round of balloting, Detroit received 231 votes to Phoenix’s 210, with 223 votes needing to win based on the 453 valid votes cast.
[End of Press Release]
The NASFiC (North American Science Fiction Convention) is held in years when the World Science Fiction Convention is outside North America. Next year’s WorldCon, Loncon 3, will be 14-18 August in London, England.
The 2014 NASFiC, Detcon 1, will be held at the Renaissance Center Marriott in Detroit, Michigan, 17-20 July 2014. Guests of Honor will include: author Steven Barnes; artist John Picacio; fan/academic/pro triad marriage Bernadette Bosky, Arthur D. Hlavaty, and Kevin J. Maroney; iRobot co-founder Helen Greiner; filkers Bill and Brenda Sutton; and con chairs emeritus Roger Sims and Fred Prophet (who co-chaired the 1959 WorldCon, Detention, in Detroit). New registration rates, valid until 1 December 2013, are $55 for adults, $25 for children, and $35 for supporting members.
The 2015 WorldCon, Sasquan, will be held in the Spokane Convention Center in Spokane, Washington, 19-23 August 2015. Guests of Honor will include authors David Gerrold and Vonda McIntyre, artist Brad Foster, filker Tom Smith, and fan Leslie Turek (who chaired the 1980 WorldCon in Boston, Massachusetts). New membership rates are $140 for adults, $90 for young adults, $60 for children, and $40 for supporting members.