+ # create a mapping of candidates ids and the relative order of the
+ # candidates as they appear when sorted alphabetically
+ cand_relnums = {}
+ self.voter.election.candidates.sort.each_with_index do |c, i|
+ cand_relnums[c.id] = i + 1
+ end
+
+ # assemble the votestring
+ self.votes.collect {|v| cand_relnums[v]}.join("")