  This paper employs switching-algebraic techniques for the calculation of a
fundamental index of voting powers, namely, the total Banzhaf power. This
calculation involves two distinct operations: (a) Boolean differencing or
differentiation, and (b) computation of the weight (the number of true vectors
or minterms) of a switching function. Both operations can be considerably
simplified and facilitated if the pertinent switching function is symmetric or
it is expressed in a disjoint sum-of-products form. We provide a tutorial
exposition on how to implement these two operations, with a stress on
situations in which partial symmetry is observed among certain subsets of a set
of arguments. We introduce novel Boolean-based symmetry-aware techniques for
computing the Banzhaf index by way of two prominent voting systems. These are
scalar systems involving six variables and nine variables, respectively. The
paper is a part of our ongoing effort for transforming the methodologies and
concepts of voting systems to the switching-algebraic domain, and subsequently
utilizing switching-algebraic tools in the calculation of pertinent quantities
in voting theory.
