Voting blocks, reluctant functions, and a formula of Hurwitz (Q1174173)

By generalizing reluctant functions introduced by \textit{R. Mullin} and \textit{G.-C. Rota} [Graph Theory Appl., Proc. advanced Sem. Wisconsin, Madison 1969, 167-213 (1970; Zbl 0259.12001)], a short direct proof of Hurwitz's identity on \((x+y)(x+y+z_ 1+\dots+z_ n)^{n-1}\) is presented. This is also a generalization of the usual binomial formula and of Abel's formula.