Elections + Referendum Flashcards
What are the functions of elections?
- representation
- choosing a government
- participation
- influence over policy
- accountability
- citizenship education
- legitimacy
- elite recruitment
What three things make a good electoral system?
- reflective of the electorate views
- strong link between the electorate
- produces a stable government
What is a safe seat?
A constituency where current party has a large majority, retained by the same political party at election after election.
What is a marginal seat?
A constituency where the current party has a small majority, + may be won by a different party at the next general election.
What are the strengths of the FPTP system?
- clear outcome
- simplicity
- strong + stable government
What are the limitations of the FPTP system?
- electoral deserts (areas of little/no representation
- plurality
- disproportionate outcomes
What is a by-election?
These elections are for a new MP in a constituency when the previous representative stands down or dies.
What is FPTP?
First Past the vPost: Under this system, candidates from various parties stand in one district and whichever candidate wins a plurality of votes wins that seat outright.
What is STV?
Single Transferrable Vote: The number of stages is related to the number of candidates who are on the ballot paper and will continue stage by stage until there are two candidates left and the one with the most votes transferred is elected.
What is AMS?
Additional Member System: each voter usually casts two votes: a vote for a candidate standing in their local constituency + a vote for a party list standing in a wider region made up of multiple constituencies.
What is AV?
Alternative Vote: If no-one gets 50%+ then the bottom candidate is removed + their preferences re-distributed; this continues until here is a winnevr.
What is SV?
Supplementary Vote: Voters have to pick their top 2 candidates; if someone gets 50%+ they win. If not the top 2 are left + the other preferences are redistributed to, in theory, give an outright majority to one of them.
Northern Irish Assembly
uses a proportional representation - STV (Single Transferrable Vote) requires a certain minimum number of votes to be elected.
Welsh Assembly
FPTP system
Scottish Parliament
STV
