Issue 5: Wrongfully merged candidates
Project Member Reported by alex.bes...@gmail.com, Jun 25, 2010
Candidates with common names are wrongfully merged by the import script.  One example of this is Adam Smith (see bug #2).

-If the import script is going to remain useful, a more reliable method for distinguishing candidates my be found (currently, we only compare fullname).

-Additionally, the existing data must be searched to find any duplicates.  Some thoughtful SQL should be able to identify suspicious candidates, but the data will likely have to be repaired by hand.


Jun 25, 2010
Project Member #1 alex.bes...@gmail.com
My comments to Dr. C:

-The duplicate name issue also stems from the import script.  This time I have the culprit isolated:  On import, we checked to see if a candidate with the same name (fullname) existed in the database.  The assumption was that even if a candidate had the same name, they would at least have a middle initial to distinguish them.  Obviously, this was a poor assumption.  Again, I have not fixed it yet, but the fix should be quick and easy.  Additionally, I will search the database to make sure there aren't any other candidates who are mysteriously running in multiple districts.