Political Represtation+ Electoral Systems T3 Flashcards
Define Delegate representation?
Members of parliament who vote in parliament according to what they perceive as the will of the voters who elected them rather than expressing their own views or the position of their party
Define trustee representation?
Elected parliamentarian acts on behalf of his constituents by voting on the basis of his personal judgement.
Define Partisan representation
Voting strictly along party lines
How is political representation fulfilled?
- max franchise ( women in all states allowed to vote as of 1902)
- malapportionment - in upper houses
- free fair and regular elections
What extent do electors represent?
- malappotionment, madora bay- 37,000 votes but singleton- 68,000.
- most Aussies can run for (ex. Children, treason, bankruptcy)
- independent electoral system
Factors making elections fair?
- max franchise
- one vote one value ( to an extent)
- freedom of information- freedom of speech assembly and media
Functions of elections?
- provide peaceful means of political change
- ensuring there is a democratic choice
- provides government general right to vote ( political legitimacy)
- creates accountability to the people
Define malapportionment?
The drawing of electoral boundaries to allow large variation In the number of constituents in different electorates.
Define Gerrymandering?
The drawing of electoral boundaries to create an artificial bias towards candidate or party
Define mandate?
The authority provided by voters to a successful political party to pursue its policy in parliament
What is the AEC
The Australian independent electoral commission
what are electoral boundaries?
The separation of land into ‘electorates’ for voting
What are the constitutional requirements of elections?
Section 44 states to stand you must
- be a Australian citizen
- X treason
- X with a sentence over 1 year
- X declared bankruptcy
- x government employee
Other
- to participate….
- should be free, fair and regular
- independent electoral system- commonwealth electoral act 1918
Western Australian electoral system? (Way voting is counted)
Preferential voting- 1918 to current
Electoral process?
- cadidates mark the ballot numbering in order of preference
- winner is candidate who receives absolute majority
- votes are counted in order of preference, if no candidate reaches a maximum majority at first the bottom candidate is removed a his second preferences redistributed. Repeated until somebody has an absolute majority
Define compulsory voting?
The requirement that all individuals with the legal right to vote must register for the electoral roll and attend a polling place to vote.
Extend if application of compulsory voting?
Who cant vote
- serving a sentence 3+ yrs
- treason
- children
- unsound mind
Penalties for not voting in Australia?
Receive a Fine
Arguments for compulsory voting?
- will of majority
- forces education
- elections focus more on issues
Arguments against compulsory voting?
- uneducated choices
- people might not like choices, disaffected voters
- political parties would need better policies and leadership to convince supporters even in ‘safe seats’
Impact of compulsory voting?
- It is more democratic meaning the elections are more valid
- electoral outcome more accurate/ democratic
Define preferential voting?
A voting system where voters must indicate their order of preference for the cadidates listed on a ballot. Successful candidate must secure an absolute majority.
Define first past the post?
A voting system in which candidates with the largest number of votes is declared elected even if they receive less than half the vote cast.
How are preferential votes counted?
- cadidates mark the ballot numbering in order of preference
- winner is candidate who receives absolute majority
- votes are counted in order of preference, if no candidate reaches a maximum majority at first the bottom candidate is removed a his second preferences redistributed. Repeated until somebody has an absolute majority
How are first past the post votes counted?
Candidate with highest number of votes is declared elected even if they receive less than half the vote cast.
Strengths and weaknesses of preferential voting?
Adv- fewer vote wastage
- single party majority creates a stable
government
Dis- system favours larger parties
- winning candidates may enjoy little first
preference support (least popular)
Strengths and weaknesses of first past the post voting?
Adv- simple system with less informal votes
- clear link between representatives and
constituents
- allows governments to have a clear mandate
from the electorate
Dis- tendency to lead to a 2 party system limiting choice of votes
- wastes votes - third party effect/ 'spoiler effect'
What is proportional representation voting?
Voting system based on multi member electorates in which each successful candidate must achieve a quota, which reflects no. Of positions to be filled from electorate
fixed terms v maximum terms?
Fixed- cheaper but could lead to ‘lame duck’ governments
Max- fits well with Westminster emphasising responsibility of governments to parliament but limited time between elections could increase costs and alienate voters
