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People And Politics Yr1 > Elections 2 > Flashcards

Elections 2 Flashcards

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1
Q

Explain the Alternative Vote system

A

Voters rank candidates by preference until they no longer wish to express and further preference

Candidates are elected outright if they gain more than 50% of votes

If not, the candidate with the fewest first placed votes is eliminated and their votes are moved to their second choice candidate

The process continues until one candidate has half of the votes and is elected

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2
Q

Where in the UK is AV used

A

Scottish Local byelection

Speaker elections

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3
Q

Advantages of AV

A 
All MPs have majority of votes
Retains constituencies
Penalises extremist parties
Encourages campaigning for 2nd 3rd choice candidates – reduction in no. of safe seats
Less need for tactical voting
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4
Q

Disadvantages of AV

A

Not proportionally representative

Winner may lack first-choice support

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5
Q

Define: Plurality system

A

Electoral systems where the winning candidate does not require an overall majority but merely needs to win more votes than any other candidates

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6
Q

Define: Proportional representation

A

Describes any electoral system that converts votes into seats in a broadly proportional way

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7
Q

Explain Supplementary Vote

A

The same as AV but voters can only choose 1st and 2nd preference

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8
Q

Where is Single Transferable Vote (STV) used

A

Elections in Northern Ireland

Local elections in Scotland

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9
Q

How does Single Transferable Vote (STV) work

A

Parties can put forward multiple MPs
Each voter ranks candidates in order of preference. To get elected, candidates need to reach a set share of votes
Excess votes are also redistributed
Multiple MPs are elected which represents diversity of opinion within a certain constituency

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10
Q

Advantages of Single Transferable Vote (STV)

A 
Proportionally representative
Fewer wasted votes
STV gives more choice
Elected MPs represent the diversity of opinion within a certain constituency
No safe seats
Most disliked candidates unlikely to win
No need for tactical voting
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11
Q

Disadvantages of Single Transferable Vote (STV)

A

Process of counting takes time
Over complicated
Ballot papers become very big with multiple candidates

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12
Q

Explain party list PR

A

The country is divided into regions
Voters vote for one of the lists
Seats are awarded proportionally
Voters have no influence over which individuals are elected
There is normally a threshold of 1-5% to prevent extremist parties

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13
Q

Where is a closed regional party list system used

A

In the UK to elect Members of the European Parliament

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14
Q

Advantages of Closed Party List PR

A

Proportional
Every vote has equal value
Simple
Close lists can allow minority candidates to thrive

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15
Q

Disadvantages of Closed party list PR

A

Impersonal, weakening link between representative and region
Independent views within parties may be stifled under closed list
Difficult to run as an independent candidate
Unstable, minority governments

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16
Q

How does AMS work

A

Every voter has 2 votes, one for a constituency candidate and the other for party lists
Two-thirds of seats are elected using FPTP
The rest through close party list
The top-up system makes it more proportional

17
Q

Advantages of AMS

A

Broadly proportional
Constituencies
Every voter has at least one effective vote
Allows a voter to express personal support for a candidate, without having to go against their party

18
Q

Disadvantages of AMS

A

Many representatives are accountable to party leadership rather than voters.
Overcomplicated

19
Q

Which voting systems are used in the UK

A 
FPTP - General elections
STV - Northern Ireland
Closed regional list - EU
AMS - Scottish Parliament
SV - London mayoral
*AV - By-elections for HoL
20
Q

Explain how FPTP works

A

Parties put forward 1 candidate in each constituency
Candidate with most votes wins (Plurality)
Party with a majority of candidates forms government

21
Q

Advantages of FPTP

A

Elects a strong and stable government
Constituency representation
Simple
Parties must appeal to the centre ground in order to win

22
Q

Disadvantages of FPTP

A

Disproportional
Representative can get elected on minimal public support
Majority of votes have no impact - safe seats
Unfair on smaller parties without concentrated support
Encourages tactical voting
Gerrymandering

People And Politics Yr1 (8 decks)

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