Electoral Systems Flashcards
What was the biggest attempt to change the electoral system?
apart of the 2010 coalition agreement, the Liberal Democrats put forward a referendum to replace the FPTP system with the Alternative Vote
voted against 69% to 315
what are the main electoral systems that can be seen in the UK
FPTP
SMS
STV
SV
AV
What electoral systems are Proportional?
STV
AMS
What electoral systems are majoritarian
FPTP - and pluralist
SV
AV
What are the advantages of FPTP?
simplicity - FPTP is fast and easy to understand therefore making voters more likely to turnout and can more simply produce a majority
strong government - usually provides a clear and legitimate winner, gibing it a mandate, also usually produces majority govnemnt allowing legislation to be passed
MP?onstiuency link - 650 MPs mean each areas has a direct representative, also meaning that every vote goes accounted for as voters can have a direct effect on result, also able to hold the MP to account greatly
What are the disadvantages of FPTP
lack of choice - the only real choice is between Labour and Conservatives, may lead to tactical voting - websites such as ‘Voteswap’
unequal vote values - due to winner takes all system, some seats can be safe seats or strongholds, whereas others may be swing seats, in safe seats votes may be seen to count for less as one party is already like to win the seat
disproportionate result - main parties are overrepresented and smaller parties are underrepresented, therefore the outcome does not truly represent the public
Where is AMS Used ?
Scottish Parliament elections
The Welsh Senedd
What are the advantages of AMS?
more proportional - the second part ‘regional vote’ cancels out the proportional failings of FPTP, the more seats a party gets in the constancy votes will get their votes divided by a greater number, reducing wasted votes and ensuring a better chnce for smaller parties
Split ticket voting - as voters have two votes, they are not limited to voting in favour of one party, encourages more parties to run
government with broad popularity - in order for a single-party government to be elected AMS ensures they must have a broad ppopularity , coalitions also will allow for a rang pin policy
What ar eate Disadvantages of AMS?
more complicated - as AMS includes a formula t can draw criticism s and sceptics towards the vote can negatively effect voter turnout 46% in Welsh Senedd
Weaker governments - coalitions are far more likely which can have policy disagreements and can be weaker and less efficient
Parties have control - have control of the candidate list in the regional vote, voters can only vote to support the parties list
Where is STV used?
Northern Irish Assembly
what are the advantages of STV?
proportional - the most proportional voting system, has a strong correlation between the percentage of the votes cast and the percentage of the seats gained
Voter choice - voters have a great degree of choice multiple candidates from the same or different parties to fill multi-member seats
greater representation - others are greatly represented with multi-member constiuencies
what are the Disadvantages of STV?
complicated - coding ma be simple, but the process after is complected can lead to poor voter turnout 63% average and 54% in 2011
weaker government - coalition is a likely result, Good Friday agreement, can often have disagreements over policy
constituency link - multi-member means a lack of MP–constituency link and harder to hold MPs to account
Where is SVused?
until may 20203, SV was used in the Mayoral elections in England
What are the advantages of SV?
majority outcome - ensures the winning candidate wins a majority Khan recieved 55% of the vote in 2021
voter choice - voters have greater choice thanFPTP, voters can vote for a smaller party with their first vote and a larger party with their second vote for example
simple system - compared to proportional systems, can have greater voter turnout
what are the disadvantages of SV?
tow party dominance - bigger parties are more likely to gain the majority of the vote and therefore, less likely for smaller parties to gain power
false majority - as long as a candidate achieves the majotu pf the vote, then voters second preference e is not counted
wasted votes - there can be some votes thatt have little to no impact
