Electoral Systems

Question 1

FPTP

Answer 1

Electoral system where the person with most number of votes is elected. Victory achieved by having one more vote than other contenders - plurality system.

Question 2

AMS

Answer 2

Hybrid system with 2 elements. Voter make 2 choices.
1. Selects voter representative on fptp system
2. Vote for party for second or additional representative

Question 3

STV

Answer 3

Voters rank voting preferences in numerical order. To get a seat, candidates must obtain quota. Once votes cast, least votes are eliminated and transferred and those candidates with excess votes above quite also have votes transferred.

Question 4

SV

Answer 4

Majoritarian system. Voter makes 2 choices. If one candidate gets over 50% on first vote then contest is COMPLETE. But if not then all but top two candidate are eliminated. Then supplementary choices are re-distributed and whoever gets most votes form remaining 2, wins seat. For of voting for mayors and police and crime commissioners were ended by elections act 2022.

Question 5

Safe seat

Answer 5

Seat in which incumbent has a considerable majority over closest rival and which is large sly immune from swings in voting choice. Same political party retains seat from election to election. Majority of seats in UK Westminster constituencies are safe seats.

Question 6

Marginal seats

Answer 6

Seat held by incumbent with small majority. Only requires small % of votes to change seat. They are where outcome of elections are decided. Not as common as safe seats.

Question 7

Minority government

Answer 7

Govt that enters office but without a majority of seats in parliament. This makes passing legislation very difficult.

Question 8

Coalition government

Answer 8

Govt formed of more than one political party. Normally accompanied by an agreement over policy options and office of state. E.g. 2010 lib-con coalition.