Electoral Systems

Question 1

Mandate

Answer 1

The authority to act on behalf of a constituency as its representative. For the party that wins the election, the mandate is the authority to create policy.

Question 2

Legitamacy

Answer 2

The rightful holding of a political authority, usually granted through a fair and free elections.

Question 3

Voter Turnout:

Answer 3

The number of eligible voters who voted in an election.

Question 4

The functions of elections?

Answer 4

• Limiting the power of elected representatives
• Choosing an elected representative and government
• Legitimising politics power
• Holding the current selected representatives to account

Question 5

Plurality

Answer 5

A system which does not require a mojaority of votes, simply the most number of votes, e.g. FPTP.

Question 6

Spoiled Ballot

Answer 6

A ballot which is incorrectly fillrd and is not counted inn the vote. Sometimes this may be intentional, and seen as a political stance itself.

Question 7

Hung Parliament

Answer 7

No party has a clear majority after a general election.

Question 8

Safe Seats

Answer 8

A constituency which is highly liekly to be won by a specific party repeatedly.

Question 9

Marginal seats

Answer 9

A constituency in which the electoral outcome is not easily predictable.

Question 10

FPTP Advantages

Answer 10

• Easy to use
• Increases voter turnout
• Reduces the number of spoilt ballots
• Clear and Legitimate winner
• ‘winner bonus’

Question 11

Winner Bonus

Answer 11

Means they can pass their legislation easily and in line with the publics wishes.