Electoral Systems Flashcards
What is AMS
- Additional Member System
- Have two votes, one for a constituency rep elected using FPTP, second is a party (Proportional rep)
- The Westminster-style ballot papers are counted first. The candidate with the most votes in the constituency wins.
- The second ballot papers are then counted.
- The people counting look at how many seats a party won on the first ballot paper.
- They then add ‘additional members’ from the party lists to make parliament match how the country voted.
Where is the AMS voting system?
Scotland, Wales, London Assembly
What are the two votes for in AMS?
- Constituency rep (FPTP)
- Party (proportional rep)
Advantages of AMS
Gives minor parties a chance
More representative
Proportional
Gov with broad popularity
Disadvantages of AMS
Can’t pick the MP which will hold a seat
Unlikely single party gov
Some disadvantages of FPTP
What are the advantages of FPTP?
Clear winner/strong gov
Simple
MP constituency link
Centralist policies
What are the disadvantages of FPTP?
lack of voter choice
Unequal vote value
Lack of a majority
Two party System
Disproportionate result
Winners bonus
What are the implications of Marginal seats ?
- campaigns will be focused on there’s areas
- receive more attention than safe seats
What is a winners bonus ? Give an example.
Over rewarding the winning party
2019, Cons got 44% of popular vote but 56% of seats
What is STV?
Single Transferable Vote
Voters number a list of candidates. Voters can put numbers next to as many or as few candidates as they like. Parties will often stand more than one candidate in each area.
The numbers tell the people counting to move your vote if your favourite candidate has enough votes already or stands no chance of winning.
Where is STV used ?
Northern Ireland
What does STV require voters to do ?
Ordinal voting/ ranking candidates
Through STV, what do they need to win?
‘A droop quota’
What are advantages of STV?
-proportional result
-voter choice
-greater representation
What are disadvantages of STV?
- complication
- unlikely single party gov
- extremists can be elected
- no accountability
What is SV?
Supplementary vote
One column of boxes is for voters to mark their favourite candidate and one in which to mark a second favourite. Voters don’t have to mark a second favourite.