single transferrable vote

Question 1

what kind of system is stv?

Answer 1

proportional representation

Question 2

where is stv used?

Answer 2

Northern Ireland Assembly elections

Question 3

how does stv work in NI?

Answer 3

90 available seats - 18 constituencies with 5 MLAs
people vote by numbering - ranking - the candidates
counted - there is a quota, and when a candidate hits the quota, the remaining votes are moved to the second place winner. if no one hits the quota, the minimum voted candidate is removed and votes are transferred
done until all the spots are filled

Question 4

why was STV chosen?

Answer 4

after the troubles - to make elections fairer

Question 5

what was the outcome of the 2022 NI assembly election?

Answer 5

Sinn Fein became largest party - the first time a republican party won most seats
- first and deputy minister MUST be from different parties - power sharing agreement due to Good Friday agreement

Question 6

How is government formed in NI post-election?

Answer 6

• assembly meets within 8 days of election
• MLAs need to choose if they are unionist, nationalist or other
• Largest party = first minister, second largest party = deputy minister (24 weeks to do this otherwise SoS for NI has to call another election)
• d’Hondt formula used to allocate the remaining seats to the parties entitled a position