Single transferable vote (STV) Flashcards
what is the single transferable vote?
- used in northern Ireland for local and European elections
How does STV work?
- STV uses multi-member constituencies typically 7/8 MP’s per constituency
- electorate vote for candidates in order of preference 1st choice, 2nd choice, 3rd choice they can choose from a mixture of parties or the same
- the first choice votes are examined any candidate who has gained their ‘quota’ of votes on the first choice is elected
- the quota is calculated using this formula : votes (cast/seats to fill+1) +1
what happens if no candidate reaches the quota?
the lowest placed candidate is eliminated and their second preferences are transferred this process continues until the requisite number of seats is filled by candidates meeting the quota
Give an example
Elections to the NI assembly 2017
- Democratic unionist party (DUP) first preference votes 281% number of seats 28
- Sinn Fein first preference voters : 27.9% number of seats 27
- Ulster unionist (UUP) first preference 12.9% of votes and 10 seats
Name the advantages
- delivers proportional outcomes and ensures that votes are largely of equal value
- government is likely to consist of a party or a group of parties that win over 50% of the vote
- voters can chose a wide range of candidates including candidates of the same party meaning there is greater choice
Name the disadvantages
- it can be less accurate in translating votes into seats that proportional representation list systems
- it is likely to produce a coalition government that may be unstable and give disproportional influence to minor parties that hold the balance of power
- the counting process is lengthy and complex
Discuss your introduction
- outline what the STV is
- give an example such as the 2022 Northern Ireland assembly election
- propose an alternative argument
- propose your actual argument
Discuss paragraph one
P: One strength of this electoral system is that it delivers a proportional outcome
E: this is a strength as it ensures that parties are fairly represented and that votes are of equal value
E: For example, the 2022 Northern Ireland assembly elections perfectly reflects this systems ability to ensure fair elections. Sinn Fein became the largest party in the Northern assembly winning 29% of the vote and 27 seats. Similarly the democratic unionist party won 21.3% of votes and won 25% of the seats. This supports the notion that the STV produces fair elections that accurately reflect voter input
Discuss paragraph two:
P: it is likely to form strong governments
E: this is due to the fact that the government is likely to consist of parties or a party with more than 50% of the vote.
E: this is a strength as it means that laws will be able to pass more easily with strong support
CP: However, this is not always the case as there have been cases of coalition governments that have been proven to be unstable in northern Ireland.
E: For example, the current coalition government between Fianna Faill (accent above a ), Fine Gael and the green party were involved in a vote of no confidence although they won of a majority of 86 votes to 67 votes, this still goes to show that they may not always have a strong goverment
Discuss paragraph three:
P: it leads to great voter choice
E; this is due to the fat that the electorate can vote for multiple parties or a number of candidates within the same party
E: this is a strength as there is a variation of choice as opposed to voting systems such as FPTP system which the limit in choice results in things such as safe seats or marginal seats
CP:Large multi member constituencies weaken the link between individual MPs and their consituency
E: This is due to the fact that electoral systems that focus on having one single MP in charge of the constituency will not have to deal with differing views and alternative views within the parties.
