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Geoff Robinson
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Answer rewritten in light of comments received: Original answer essentially did what Zack suggested in the case that $|G|$ was odd and $n$ was even, but in an unnecessarily complicated manner. This edit treats the suggested amendment by Will in a slightly different fashion. Suppose that $G$ admits an automorphism $\alpha$ of order prime order $n$ which fixes only $0$ (the additive identity of $G$). Denote $G \backslash \{ 0 \}$ by $G^{\#}.$ Then $G^{\#}$ is a disjoint union of orbits under $ \langle \alpha \rangle$, each of which has length $n$ by hypothesis. The sum across each of these orbits is zero because for any $g \in G$, the element $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} \alpha^{k}(g)$ is fixed by $\alpha$, so must be $0$ by assumption. This covers the case that $G$ has odd order, since in that case inversion is an automorphism which fixes only $0.$ It is not necessary to suppose that $\alpha$ has prime order. More generally, the argument works if each power of $\alpha$ other than the identity fixes only $0$.

Third edit: it may be of interest to note that this argument does not generalize directly to the case that $\alpha$ is an automorphism of prime order $n$ which has non-zero fixed points on $G$. If we could partition $G^{\#}$ into disjoint "zero-sum" sets of size $n,$ then we have $|G| \equiv 1$ (mod $n$), so certainly $n$ does not divide $|G|.$ By standard results on coprime automorphisms, we may wirt $G = H \oplus K$, where $H$ is the fixed-point subgroup of $\alpha$ and $K$ is an $\alpha$-invariant complement (in this special case, this can be proved in the same way as Maschke's theorem). Note that $|H| \equiv |G|$ (mod $n$), so that $H$ contains no element of order $n.$ Then for any non-zero element $h \in H$ and any $k \in K,$ we have $\sum_{i=0}^{n-1} \alpha^{i}(h +k) = n . h \neq 0.$ However, it does reduce the problem to finding a suitable partition of $H$ into zero-sum subsets of size $n.$ For example, if $\sum_{i=1}^{n} s_{i} = 0$ for distinct elements $ \{s_{1},s_{2},\ldots ,s_{n} \}$ of $H$, then for each orbit of $\langle \alpha \rangle$ on $K^{\#}$, we can add the $i$-th element of the orbit to $s_i,$ and we get a zero sum subset of $G$ disjoint from $ \{s_{1},s_{2},\ldots ,s_{n} \}$. Hence if we can partition $H^{\#}$ into disjoint zero sum sets of size $n,$ we can do the same for $G^{\#}.$ Fourth Edit: It might be worth noting that when $n$ is prime, this reduces the problem in the case that $|G|$ is Abelian and $|G| \equiv 1$ (mod $n$) ( the latter case obviously being necessary if the desired partition is to exist) to the case that ${\rm Aut}(G)$ is group of order prime to $n.$ For if $G$ has an automorphism $\alpha$ of order $n,$ then we can work with the smaller group $C_{G}(\alpha)$ of fixed points of $\alpha$. If that group has a partition of the required form, so does $G.$ If the smaller groups still has an automorphism of order $n,$ then we can replace it by an even smaller group, and so on. If a finite Abelian group $G$ has no automorphism group of order $n,$ then (among other things) when it is decomposed as a direct summand of cyclic groups of prime power order, no $n-1$ summands can be mutually isomorphic.

Answer rewritten in light of comments received: Original answer essentially did what Zack suggested in the case that $|G|$ was odd and $n$ was even, but in an unnecessarily complicated manner. This edit treats the suggested amendment by Will in a slightly different fashion. Suppose that $G$ admits an automorphism $\alpha$ of order prime order $n$ which fixes only $0$ (the additive identity of $G$). Denote $G \backslash \{ 0 \}$ by $G^{\#}.$ Then $G^{\#}$ is a disjoint union of orbits under $ \langle \alpha \rangle$, each of which has length $n$ by hypothesis. The sum across each of these orbits is zero because for any $g \in G$, the element $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} \alpha^{k}(g)$ is fixed by $\alpha$, so must be $0$ by assumption. This covers the case that $G$ has odd order, since in that case inversion is an automorphism which fixes only $0.$ It is not necessary to suppose that $\alpha$ has prime order. More generally, the argument works if each power of $\alpha$ other than the identity fixes only $0$.

Third edit: it may be of interest to note that this argument does not generalize directly to the case that $\alpha$ is an automorphism of prime order $n$ which has non-zero fixed points on $G$. If we could partition $G^{\#}$ into disjoint "zero-sum" sets of size $n,$ then we have $|G| \equiv 1$ (mod $n$), so certainly $n$ does not divide $|G|.$ By standard results on coprime automorphisms, we may wirt $G = H \oplus K$, where $H$ is the fixed-point subgroup of $\alpha$ and $K$ is an $\alpha$-invariant complement (in this special case, this can be proved in the same way as Maschke's theorem). Note that $|H| \equiv |G|$ (mod $n$), so that $H$ contains no element of order $n.$ Then for any non-zero element $h \in H$ and any $k \in K,$ we have $\sum_{i=0}^{n-1} \alpha^{i}(h +k) = n . h \neq 0.$ However, it does reduce the problem to finding a suitable partition of $H$ into zero-sum subsets of size $n.$ For example, if $\sum_{i=1}^{n} s_{i} = 0$ for distinct elements $ \{s_{1},s_{2},\ldots ,s_{n} \}$ of $H$, then for each orbit of $\langle \alpha \rangle$ on $K^{\#}$, we can add the $i$-th element of the orbit to $s_i,$ and we get a zero sum subset of $G$ disjoint from $ \{s_{1},s_{2},\ldots ,s_{n} \}$. Hence if we can partition $H^{\#}$ into disjoint zero sum sets of size $n,$ we can do the same for $G^{\#}.$

Answer rewritten in light of comments received: Original answer essentially did what Zack suggested in the case that $|G|$ was odd and $n$ was even, but in an unnecessarily complicated manner. This edit treats the suggested amendment by Will in a slightly different fashion. Suppose that $G$ admits an automorphism $\alpha$ of order prime order $n$ which fixes only $0$ (the additive identity of $G$). Denote $G \backslash \{ 0 \}$ by $G^{\#}.$ Then $G^{\#}$ is a disjoint union of orbits under $ \langle \alpha \rangle$, each of which has length $n$ by hypothesis. The sum across each of these orbits is zero because for any $g \in G$, the element $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} \alpha^{k}(g)$ is fixed by $\alpha$, so must be $0$ by assumption. This covers the case that $G$ has odd order, since in that case inversion is an automorphism which fixes only $0.$ It is not necessary to suppose that $\alpha$ has prime order. More generally, the argument works if each power of $\alpha$ other than the identity fixes only $0$.

Third edit: it may be of interest to note that this argument does not generalize directly to the case that $\alpha$ is an automorphism of prime order $n$ which has non-zero fixed points on $G$. If we could partition $G^{\#}$ into disjoint "zero-sum" sets of size $n,$ then we have $|G| \equiv 1$ (mod $n$), so certainly $n$ does not divide $|G|.$ By standard results on coprime automorphisms, we may wirt $G = H \oplus K$, where $H$ is the fixed-point subgroup of $\alpha$ and $K$ is an $\alpha$-invariant complement (in this special case, this can be proved in the same way as Maschke's theorem). Note that $|H| \equiv |G|$ (mod $n$), so that $H$ contains no element of order $n.$ Then for any non-zero element $h \in H$ and any $k \in K,$ we have $\sum_{i=0}^{n-1} \alpha^{i}(h +k) = n . h \neq 0.$ However, it does reduce the problem to finding a suitable partition of $H$ into zero-sum subsets of size $n.$ For example, if $\sum_{i=1}^{n} s_{i} = 0$ for distinct elements $ \{s_{1},s_{2},\ldots ,s_{n} \}$ of $H$, then for each orbit of $\langle \alpha \rangle$ on $K^{\#}$, we can add the $i$-th element of the orbit to $s_i,$ and we get a zero sum subset of $G$ disjoint from $ \{s_{1},s_{2},\ldots ,s_{n} \}$. Hence if we can partition $H^{\#}$ into disjoint zero sum sets of size $n,$ we can do the same for $G^{\#}.$ Fourth Edit: It might be worth noting that when $n$ is prime, this reduces the problem in the case that $|G|$ is Abelian and $|G| \equiv 1$ (mod $n$) ( the latter case obviously being necessary if the desired partition is to exist) to the case that ${\rm Aut}(G)$ is group of order prime to $n.$ For if $G$ has an automorphism $\alpha$ of order $n,$ then we can work with the smaller group $C_{G}(\alpha)$ of fixed points of $\alpha$. If that group has a partition of the required form, so does $G.$ If the smaller groups still has an automorphism of order $n,$ then we can replace it by an even smaller group, and so on. If a finite Abelian group $G$ has no automorphism group of order $n,$ then (among other things) when it is decomposed as a direct summand of cyclic groups of prime power order, no $n-1$ summands can be mutually isomorphic.

Added section of further exploiting existence of automorphisms.
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Geoff Robinson
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Answer rewritten in light of comments received: Original answer essentially did what Zack suggested in the case that $|G|$ was odd and $n$ was even, but in an unnecessarily complicated manner. This edit treats the suggested amendment by Will in a slightly different fashion. Suppose that $G$ admits an automorphism $\alpha$ of order prime order $n$ which fixes only $0$ (the additive identity of $G$). Denote $G \backslash \{ 0 \}$ by $G^{\#}.$ Then $G^{\#}$ is a disjoint union of orbits under $ \langle \alpha \rangle$, each of which has length $n$ by hypothesis. The sum across each of these orbits is zero because for any $g \in G$, the element $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} \alpha^{k}(g)$ is fixed by $\alpha$, so must be $0$ by assumption. This covers the case that $G$ has odd order, since in that case inversion is an automorphism which fixes only $0.$ It is not necessary to suppose that $\alpha$ has prime order. More generally, the argument works if each power of $\alpha$ other than the identity fixes only $0$.

Third edit: it may be of interest to note that this argument does not generalize directly to the case that $\alpha$ is an automorphism of prime order $n$ which has non-zero fixed points on $G$. If we could partition $G^{\#}$ into disjoint "zero-sum" sets of size $n,$ then we have $|G| \equiv 1$ (mod $n$), so certainly $n$ does not divide $|G|.$ By standard results on coprime automorphisms, we may wirt $G = H \oplus K$, where $H$ is the fixed-point subgroup of $\alpha$ and $K$ is an $\alpha$-invariant complement (in this special case, this can be proved in the same way as Maschke's theorem). Note that $|H| \equiv |G|$ (mod $n$), so that $H$ contains no element of order $n.$ Then for any non-zero element $h \in H$ and any $k \in K,$ we have $\sum_{i=0}^{n-1} \alpha^{i}(h +k) = n . h \neq 0.$ However, it does reduce the problem to finding a suitable partition of $H$ into zero-sum subsets of size $n.$ For example, if $\sum_{i=1}^{n} s_{i} = 0$ for distinct elements $ \{s_{1},s_{2},\ldots ,s_{n} \}$ of $H$, then for each orbit of $\langle \alpha \rangle$ on $K^{\#}$, we can add the $i$-th element of the orbit to $s_i,$ and we get a zero sum subset of $G$ disjoint from $ \{s_{1},s_{2},\ldots ,s_{n} \}$. Hence if we can partition $H^{\#}$ into disjoint zero sum sets of size $n,$ we can do the same for $G^{\#}.$

Answer rewritten in light of comments received: Original answer essentially did what Zack suggested in the case that $|G|$ was odd and $n$ was even, but in an unnecessarily complicated manner. This edit treats the suggested amendment by Will in a slightly different fashion. Suppose that $G$ admits an automorphism $\alpha$ of order prime order $n$ which fixes only $0$ (the additive identity of $G$). Denote $G \backslash \{ 0 \}$ by $G^{\#}.$ Then $G^{\#}$ is a disjoint union of orbits under $ \langle \alpha \rangle$, each of which has length $n$ by hypothesis. The sum across each of these orbits is zero because for any $g \in G$, the element $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} \alpha^{k}(g)$ is fixed by $\alpha$, so must be $0$ by assumption. This covers the case that $G$ has odd order, since in that case inversion is an automorphism which fixes only $0.$ It is not necessary to suppose that $\alpha$ has prime order. More generally, the argument works if each power of $\alpha$ other than the identity fixes only $0$.

Answer rewritten in light of comments received: Original answer essentially did what Zack suggested in the case that $|G|$ was odd and $n$ was even, but in an unnecessarily complicated manner. This edit treats the suggested amendment by Will in a slightly different fashion. Suppose that $G$ admits an automorphism $\alpha$ of order prime order $n$ which fixes only $0$ (the additive identity of $G$). Denote $G \backslash \{ 0 \}$ by $G^{\#}.$ Then $G^{\#}$ is a disjoint union of orbits under $ \langle \alpha \rangle$, each of which has length $n$ by hypothesis. The sum across each of these orbits is zero because for any $g \in G$, the element $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} \alpha^{k}(g)$ is fixed by $\alpha$, so must be $0$ by assumption. This covers the case that $G$ has odd order, since in that case inversion is an automorphism which fixes only $0.$ It is not necessary to suppose that $\alpha$ has prime order. More generally, the argument works if each power of $\alpha$ other than the identity fixes only $0$.

Third edit: it may be of interest to note that this argument does not generalize directly to the case that $\alpha$ is an automorphism of prime order $n$ which has non-zero fixed points on $G$. If we could partition $G^{\#}$ into disjoint "zero-sum" sets of size $n,$ then we have $|G| \equiv 1$ (mod $n$), so certainly $n$ does not divide $|G|.$ By standard results on coprime automorphisms, we may wirt $G = H \oplus K$, where $H$ is the fixed-point subgroup of $\alpha$ and $K$ is an $\alpha$-invariant complement (in this special case, this can be proved in the same way as Maschke's theorem). Note that $|H| \equiv |G|$ (mod $n$), so that $H$ contains no element of order $n.$ Then for any non-zero element $h \in H$ and any $k \in K,$ we have $\sum_{i=0}^{n-1} \alpha^{i}(h +k) = n . h \neq 0.$ However, it does reduce the problem to finding a suitable partition of $H$ into zero-sum subsets of size $n.$ For example, if $\sum_{i=1}^{n} s_{i} = 0$ for distinct elements $ \{s_{1},s_{2},\ldots ,s_{n} \}$ of $H$, then for each orbit of $\langle \alpha \rangle$ on $K^{\#}$, we can add the $i$-th element of the orbit to $s_i,$ and we get a zero sum subset of $G$ disjoint from $ \{s_{1},s_{2},\ldots ,s_{n} \}$. Hence if we can partition $H^{\#}$ into disjoint zero sum sets of size $n,$ we can do the same for $G^{\#}.$

Rewrote answer in light of comments received
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Geoff Robinson
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As it stands, whenAnswer rewritten in light of comments received: Original answer essentially did what Zack suggested in the case that $G$ has$|G|$ was odd order and is non trivial, this can certainly be done whenever $n$ is anwas even divisor of $|G|-1.$ All that is required is, but in an unnecessarily complicated manner. This edit treats the suggested amendment by Will in a slightly different fashion. Suppose that each set$G$ admits an automorphism $\alpha$ of sizeorder prime order $n$ is closed under taking inverses. Partitionwhich fixes only $G^{\#}$$0$ (the set of non-zero elementsadditive identity of $G$) into two disjoint sets of size. Denote $\frac{(|G|-1)}{2}$ so that whenever$G \backslash \{ 0 \}$ by $g \in G$ is in one of the subsets,$G^{\#}.$ Then $-g$ is in the other. This$G^{\#}$ is always possible. If we have found a setdisjoint union of orbits under $S$$ \langle \alpha \rangle$, each of cardinalitywhich has length $r \leq \frac{(|G|-3)}{2}$ such that no two$n$ by hypothesis. The sum across each of its elements havethese orbits is zero sum, then $T = (S \cup -S)$ has cardinality at mostbecause for any $|G|-3.$ Then we can choose a non-zero$g \in G$, the element $x$ outside $S$ such that $-x$$\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} \alpha^{k}(g)$ is outside $S.$ Thenfixed by $S \cup \{x\}$ is an extension of$\alpha$, so must be $S$ of the required form$0$ by assumption. Once we have a set $U$ of non-zero elements cardinality $\frac{|G|-1}{2}$ suchThis covers the case that no two of its elements have zero sum, then we may certainly choose $\frac{|G|-1}{n}$ $\frac{n}{2}$-tuples of elements of $U$$G$ has odd order, and thus for eachsince in that case inversion is an automorphism which fixes only $\frac{n}{2}$ tuple$0.$ It is not necessary to suppose that $X$$\alpha$ has prime order. More generally, we can form the $n$-tuple $X \cup -X.$ Hence we have partitionedargument works if each power of $G^{\#}$ into$\alpha$ other than the identity fixes only $n$-tuples, each with zero sum$0$.

As it stands, when $G$ has odd order and is non trivial, this can certainly be done whenever $n$ is an even divisor of $|G|-1.$ All that is required is that each set of size $n$ is closed under taking inverses. Partition $G^{\#}$ (the set of non-zero elements of $G$) into two disjoint sets of size $\frac{(|G|-1)}{2}$ so that whenever $g \in G$ is in one of the subsets, $-g$ is in the other. This is always possible. If we have found a set $S$ of cardinality $r \leq \frac{(|G|-3)}{2}$ such that no two of its elements have zero sum, then $T = (S \cup -S)$ has cardinality at most $|G|-3.$ Then we can choose a non-zero element $x$ outside $S$ such that $-x$ is outside $S.$ Then $S \cup \{x\}$ is an extension of $S$ of the required form. Once we have a set $U$ of non-zero elements cardinality $\frac{|G|-1}{2}$ such that no two of its elements have zero sum, then we may certainly choose $\frac{|G|-1}{n}$ $\frac{n}{2}$-tuples of elements of $U$, and thus for each $\frac{n}{2}$ tuple $X$, we can form the $n$-tuple $X \cup -X.$ Hence we have partitioned $G^{\#}$ into $n$-tuples, each with zero sum.

Answer rewritten in light of comments received: Original answer essentially did what Zack suggested in the case that $|G|$ was odd and $n$ was even, but in an unnecessarily complicated manner. This edit treats the suggested amendment by Will in a slightly different fashion. Suppose that $G$ admits an automorphism $\alpha$ of order prime order $n$ which fixes only $0$ (the additive identity of $G$). Denote $G \backslash \{ 0 \}$ by $G^{\#}.$ Then $G^{\#}$ is a disjoint union of orbits under $ \langle \alpha \rangle$, each of which has length $n$ by hypothesis. The sum across each of these orbits is zero because for any $g \in G$, the element $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1} \alpha^{k}(g)$ is fixed by $\alpha$, so must be $0$ by assumption. This covers the case that $G$ has odd order, since in that case inversion is an automorphism which fixes only $0.$ It is not necessary to suppose that $\alpha$ has prime order. More generally, the argument works if each power of $\alpha$ other than the identity fixes only $0$.

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Geoff Robinson
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