STV

Question 1

what is stv?

Answer 1

A proportional voting system where voters can vote for as few/as many candidates as they like.

Question 2

How does it work?

Answer 2

-Voters will rank the list of candidates from most to least preferred, by as many/ as little candidates as they like.
-To win a seat candidates/parties have to achieve within the threshold number of votes or ‘quota’
-Any voters in excess of the threshold quota are redistributed on the basis of second preference.
-If nobody reaches the quota on the first round, the lowest placed candidate= eliminated
-Process of eliminating + redistributing continues.W

Question 3

Where is it used?

Answer 3

-Used to elect Northern Ireland’s Stormont Assembly
-Local govt elections in Scotland

Question 4

Advantages of STV

Answer 4

-Delivers proportional outcomes, ensuring voters are largely of equal value. E.G. 2017 elections in N.Ireland, DUP won a share of 28 seats from a 28.1% of first preference votes.
-Allows voters to express a preferential view on a range of candidates, including within a party, STV provides greater choice.
-Reduces wasted votes as after the voting quota is met, the votes redistributed emphasises how every voters voice is heard.

Question 5

Disadvantages of STV

Answer 5

-It can be less proportional than the closed list element of AMS election system for the Welsh assembly + Scottish parliament.
-The counting process is lengthy + complex.
-STV is likely to produce coalition govt which can be unstable e.g. no power-sharing executive in N.Ireland between january 2017 + january 2020, after it collapsed due to policy disagreements between its power-sharing leadership.
-Is complex as it may be difficult for voters to understand, can lead to ‘spoilt votes’- where the votes don’t count as they were done incorrectly.
-Internal conflict- candidates from the same party can run can cause a split + tension.