electoral systems

Question 1

define proportional electoral system

Answer 1

calculates the number of MPs or elected representatives by the actual number of votes each party receives

Question 2

define majoritarian electoral system

Answer 2

candidate with the highest number of votes in each constituency is elected

Question 3

how does FPTP work?

Answer 3

• candidate with largest number of votes in each constituency wins the seat
• runners up receive no electoral reward
• 650 single member constituencies, meaning parties can get lots of votes across the country but have few MPs because of distribution of sed votes
• simple ballot paper, vote for constituency rep

Question 4

how does party list work?

Answer 4

• larger constituency area, group of MPs elected that closely represent the constituents views
• would have 26 large constituencies each electing 25 MPs
• parties rank their candidates in each area
• meaning highest ranked candidates (usually leaders or other senior figures) would be almost certain to be elected

Question 5

when was party list used in the UK?

Answer 5

for european elections
- divided into 11 regions (eg south east england)
- each region elected between three and ten MEPs
- vote for party

Question 6

advantages of closed party list

Answer 6

proportional result
every vote has equal value - no safe seats
simple ballot paper - choose one party
structured to increase diversity of representatives

Question 7

disadvantages of closed party list

Answer 7

clear link between MP and constituency broken
limited voter choice - don’t vote for candidate just vote party
power to party leaders who determine party order
likely to result in coalitions

Question 8

advantages of FPTP

Answer 8

creates a strong government
strong link between MP and constituency
simple ballot voting for constituency candidate

Question 9

disadvantages of FPTP

Answer 9

disproportionate result
can only make one vote on ballot paper
winning candidate needs a simple plurality

Question 10

where is AV used?

Answer 10

labour and liberal party leader elections
by-election for hereditary peers

Question 11

how does AV work?

Answer 11

• voter numbers candidate in preference
• need 50% for majority
• if no winner, votes redistributed in order of preference of loosing parties until one has a majority of 50%

Question 12

AV advantages

Answer 12

• must win majority rather than simple plurality
• theoretically MPs have to campaign more to appeal to more voters
• keeps existing constituency boundaries
• may reduce safe seat numbers
• reduces need for tactical voting

Question 13

disadvantages of AV

Answer 13

• could be even less proportional than FPTP result
• may elect the least unpopular, rather than the most popular
• may lead to more coalitions as third parties win more seats
• unequal votes - those voting for loosing parties have their votes counted more times

Question 14

where is SV used?

Answer 14

london mayor elections
police and crime commissioner

Question 15

how does SV work?

Answer 15

• voters select two candidates out of five options
• candidates finishing 3rd or worse are redistributed to two leading candidates
• reduces wasted votes

Question 16

advantages of SV

Answer 16

• MPs need broader support for plurality
• MPs theoretically need to campaign more
• existing constituent boundaries remain
• keeps clear link between MP and constituents
• easy to understand

Question 17

disadvantages of SV

Answer 17

• unproportional
• doesnt ensure 50% majority
• voters have to guess top two candidates to ensure no wasted vote
• therefore doesnt elimate tactical voting as they need to decide who the front runners are

Question 18

where is STV used? what does it stand for?

Answer 18

single transferable vote
NI assembly, european elections, local government elections
local scottish elections

Question 19

how does STV work?

Answer 19

• rank parties in preferential order
• a quota is set based on number of seats and number of votes cast
• once candidate achieved quota number of votes the votes are redistributed to other candidates to avoid wasted votes
• lowest candidates eliminated, their votes redistributed

Question 20

what is alphabetical voting?

Answer 20

voting for the party at the top of the list as it is the first one you see due to it being ordered alphabetically
average 9.9% more likely to vote for candidates the higher up the list they are

Question 21

advantages of STV

Answer 21

• proportional result
• greater voter choice, select multiple candidates
• fewer wasted votes
• fairer to third parties, eliminates safe seats and need for tactical voting

Question 22

disadvantages of STV

Answer 22

• more complicated
• more time consuming
• ballot papers lengthy, making it more confusing for electorate
• possible alphabet voting
• ends MP-constituency link
• possible coalitions

Question 23

where is AMS used?

Answer 23

scottish parliament system

Question 24

how does AMS work?

Answer 24

• voters have two ballot papers and two votes
• combination of simple plurality and majoritarian systems
• some MPs are elected through single-member constituencies with FPTP
• then some are elected through multi-member constituencies with closed party list

Question 25

what are advantages of AMS?

Answer 25

• more proportional
• retains MP-constituency link
• if constituency vote wasted, regional vote will count
• voter has greater choice

Question 26

disadvantages of AMS

Answer 26

• creates two classes of MPs
• party leader has greater influence
• more complicated, could lead to incorrectly completed ballots
• may create unstable govs

Question 27

simple plurality systems

Answer 27

first past the post

Question 28

majoritarian systems

Answer 28

alternative vote and supplementary vote

Question 29

proportional systems

Answer 29

closed party list and single transferable vote

Question 30

hybrid systems

Answer 30

additional members system and alternative vote +