+ if (votesRequired == 0) {
+ // If there are no peers then we should be a Leader
+ // We wait for the election timeout to occur before declare
+ // ourselves the leader. This gives enough time for a leader
+ // who we do not know about (as a peer)
+ // to send a message to the candidate
+
+ return internalSwitchBehavior(RaftState.Leader);
+ }
+
+ startNewTerm();
+ scheduleElection(electionDuration());
+ return this;
+ }