Political Represtation+ Electoral Systems T3

Question 1

Define Delegate representation?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Define trustee representation?

Answer 2

Elected parliamentarian acts on behalf of his constituents by voting on the basis of his personal judgement.

Question 3

Define Partisan representation

Answer 3

Voting strictly along party lines

Question 4

How is political representation fulfilled?

Answer 4

• max franchise ( women in all states allowed to vote as of 1902)
• malapportionment - in upper houses
• free fair and regular elections

Question 5

What extent do electors represent?

Answer 5

• malappotionment, madora bay- 37,000 votes but singleton- 68,000.
• most Aussies can run for (ex. Children, treason, bankruptcy)
• independent electoral system

Question 6

Factors making elections fair?

Answer 6

• max franchise
• one vote one value ( to an extent)
• freedom of information- freedom of speech assembly and media

Question 7

Functions of elections?

Answer 7

• 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

Question 8

Define malapportionment?

Answer 8

The drawing of electoral boundaries to allow large variation In the number of constituents in different electorates.

Question 9

Define Gerrymandering?

Answer 9

The drawing of electoral boundaries to create an artificial bias towards candidate or party

Question 10

Define mandate?

Answer 10

The authority provided by voters to a successful political party to pursue its policy in parliament

Question 11

What is the AEC

Answer 11

The Australian independent electoral commission

Question 12

what are electoral boundaries?

Answer 12

The separation of land into ‘electorates’ for voting

Question 13

What are the constitutional requirements of elections?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Western Australian electoral system? (Way voting is counted)

Answer 14

Preferential voting- 1918 to current

Question 15

Electoral process?

Answer 15

• 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

Question 16

Define compulsory voting?

Answer 16

The requirement that all individuals with the legal right to vote must register for the electoral roll and attend a polling place to vote.

Question 17

Extend if application of compulsory voting?

Answer 17

Who cant vote

• serving a sentence 3+ yrs
• treason
• children
• unsound mind

Question 18

Penalties for not voting in Australia?

Answer 18

Receive a Fine

Question 19

Arguments for compulsory voting?

Answer 19

• will of majority
• forces education
• elections focus more on issues

Question 20

Arguments against compulsory voting?

Answer 20

• uneducated choices
• people might not like choices, disaffected voters
• political parties would need better policies and leadership to convince supporters even in ‘safe seats’

Question 21

Impact of compulsory voting?

Answer 21

• It is more democratic meaning the elections are more valid
• electoral outcome more accurate/ democratic

Question 22

Define preferential voting?

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

Define first past the post?

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

How are preferential votes counted?

Answer 24

• 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

Question 25

How are first past the post votes counted?

Answer 25

Candidate with highest number of votes is declared elected even if they receive less than half the vote cast.

Question 26

Strengths and weaknesses of preferential voting?

Answer 26

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)

Question 27

Strengths and weaknesses of first past the post voting?

Answer 27

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'

Question 28

What is proportional representation voting?

Answer 28

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

Question 29

fixed terms v maximum terms?

Answer 29

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