Consider:
def update_vote(self, vote_type):
vote_upwards = 1 if vote_type > 0 else -1
same_direction = -1 if vote_upwards == self.track_vote else 1
self.track_vote += vote_upwards * same_direction
assert -1 <= self.track_vote <= 1
self.save()
Originally posted by @sfkleach in #106 (comment)