Electoral systems Flashcards
What is an election?
A method of choosing somebody for a political position.
Are elections democratic and why/why not?
Yes.
The electorate make the decision and so elections are a way for them to control their representatives- democratic accountability.
Name five examples of elections that take place in the UK.
General elections PCC elections Local council elections Devolved elections Metro-mayors
What are three differences between referndums and elections?
Elections-
- Vote for candidate/party
- Covers all issues
- Representative democracy
Referendums-
- Yes/no option
- Vote on a specific issue
- Direct democracy
Name four functions of elections.
Representation of the people
Give government legitimacy
Accountability
Participation of the people
What % of seats did Labour win in 1997 with what % of the vote?
63% of the seats with 43% of the vote.
Extreme example
In 1951, what % of seats did the Conservatives win with what % of the vote?
51% of the seats with 48% of the vote.
What % of the seats did the Conservatives have in 2017 with what % of the vote?
49% of the seats with 42.4% of the vote.
What is majoritarian voting system?
50% + 1 to win.
This may refer to the number of votes needed to win a seat or number of seats needed to win a government.
Likely to form a two-party system.
Name an example of a majoritarian voting system.
SV
Does the system we use show what political ideas and values are important to us?
Yes.
What is a plurality voting system?
Having more votes than anyone else but not having an overall majority.
No majority is required to win a seat.
Likely to produce a two-party system.
Name an example of a plurality voting system.
First-past-the-post
What is a proportional voting system?
Percentage of votes is equal to the percentage of seats.
None used in the UK, however many systems are more proportional than FPTP.
Likely to produce a multi party system.
Name two examples of voting systems more proportional than FPTP.
AMS and STV
Is FPTP an example of PR?
No
Is FPTP single or multi-member constituencies?
Single member constituencies.
How do you vote with FPTP?
Everyone votes for their preferred candidate
Split into 650 constituencies
Place X in the box
How do you win under FPTP?
Candidate with the most votes wins
Simple plurality.
Where is FPTP used?
UK general election.
Is Supplementary vote an example of PR?
No
Is SV single or multi-member constituencies?
Single member constituencies
How do you vote with SV?
Ballot paper has two columns, first and second preference, where voters put one vote in each column.
How do you win under SV?
Majoritarian- 50% + 1
First preference votes are counted first.
If there is not a majority, everyone but the top two candidates are eliminated and their second preferences are counted, so one candidate has the majority.
Where is SV used?
London mayoral elections.
Is Additional member system an example of PR?
Yes
Is AMS single or multi-member constituencies?
Both
How do you vote using AMS?
Voter is presented with two different ballot papers.
Cast one vote on each one.
One ballot is for candidate whereas the other is for party.
Constituency + regional vote.
Don’t have to vote for the same party on both.
How do you win under AMS?
Constituency vote winners are decided by FPTP.
Regional winners are decided by the d’Hondt formula
The first seat is allocated to the party with the highest number.
Where is AMS used?
Scottish parliament elections