Electoral systems 3.1

Question 1

What is an electoral system?

Answer 1

The method used to elect our representatives and a way of translating votes into seats which form a government,

Question 2

What is FPTP?

Answer 2

Single member simple plurality system. One person per constituency, which ever person gets the most votes wins the constituency.

Question 3

Advantages of FPTP?

Answer 3

easy to understand, results are quick
clear lines of accountability
single party majority governments (normally)
prevents extremist parties gaining support
little want for change
elections based on individual views not just party values.

Question 4

Disadvantages of FPTP?

Answer 4

Not proportional - unfair
wasted votes due to safe seats.
tactical voting - people abandoning the party they want.
smaller parties can't gain support
no popular vote won since war 
failed to deliver majority governments.

Question 5

What is AMS?

Answer 5

Hybrid system - FPTP to elect 2/3s of seats representing constituencies.
Separate vote using regional party list - amount of votes proportional to amount of seats.
more than one person is elected to represent a region.

Question 6

Advantages of AMS?

Answer 6

fairer to smaller parties
more choice in representatives, more representation
not as complicated as other proportional systems.

Question 7

Disadvantages of AMS?

Answer 7

Two classes of representation
more complex than just FPTP.
dangerous extremist parties can be elected.

Question 8

What is STV

Answer 8

Six seats available in each constituency - usually parties put no more than four candidates forward.
voters place the candidates in order of preference.
candidates must get enough votes to meet the quota
At first, the first preference votes are counted for each candidate. If a candidate meets the quota they are elected.
Then the second and subsequent preferences are added to the votes of each candidates until 6 seats are filled.
if second preference candidates don’t make the quota the candidate with the least votes is eliminated and their votes are redistributed.

Question 9

Advantages of STV

Answer 9

very proportional outcome, broad range of representation and preference is taken into consideration.
shows preference within parties
more likely to be represented by at least one candidate they support.
supports small parties.

Question 10

Disadvantages of STV

Answer 10

complex system, vote counting complicated and slow
can support extremism.
no clear lines of accountability
leadership possibly less efficient and effective.

Question 11

What is SV?

Answer 11

First preference voting - if you win the majority in the first preference vote you win.
After first preference vote, if there is no clear winner, the least popular parties are eliminated.
Second preference votes are added on, then the party with the majority wins.

Question 12

Advantages of SV?

Answer 12

The winning candidate can claim to have an overall majority.
simple to understand
voters first and second choice are relevant.

Question 13

Disadvantages of SV?

Answer 13

Winning candidates may not be everyones fist choice and don’t have an overall majority.
Winning Candidate may be the least disliked.

Question 14

Why is it important to use a range of different electoral systems?

Answer 14

There is more representation and hopefully better quality of representation.
Without a range of systems arguably large parties would completely dominate UK politics.

Question 15

How do different party systems effect the formation of governments?

Answer 15

Limits government power as two parties cannot dominate, due to devolution in the UK.
Stops tyranny of the majority as results are more proportional.
More bodies are represented.
coalition governments means more consensus with other parties so representation is more accurate.

Question 16

How do different electoral systems effect voters?

Answer 16

more choices
reduces tactical voting - most feel represented by at least one representative.
Divides power, more lines of accountability.