Single Transferable Vote

Question 1

Where is the single transferable vote used?

Answer 1

Northern Ireland assembly,
Northern Ireland local council elections,
the Scottish local council elections.

Question 2

In basic how does the single transferable vote work?

Answer 2

Voters number their choice of candidate in order of preference then the top choices are added up.
If one party gets past the calculated droop quota the candidate is elected.
If not, all the second choices are added to the top two parties.
So on

Question 3

What type of constituencies does STV offer?

Answer 3

Multi-member

Question 4

What is a disadvantage to the concept of STV?

Answer 4

• likely to end up in a coalition government.
• The concept could be quite complex to grasp leading to ‘donkey voting’.
• the personal aspect given by FPTP is lost due to multiple members per constituency.
• lines of accountability aren’t clear with 6 representatives per constituency.

Question 5

What is an advantage of STV?

Answer 5

• It produces a proportional outcome and wastes less votes;
• people can show their full consideration of parties;
• it helps small parties and independent candidates gain momentum;
• there aren’t any safe seats in Northern Ireland because if this making voters actually vote increasing legitimacy.

Question 6

How come minority governments can be formed under the single transferable vote?

Answer 6

-larger districts have more seats than smaller districts meaning some have a greater magnitude
-The increase in strategic voting.