TOPIC 6 - MAJORITARIAN SYSTEMS

Question 1

WHAT IS MAJORTIARIAN SYSTEM?

Answer 1

ELECTORAL SYSTEM WHERE THE WINNING CANDIDATE IS REQUIRED TO WIN AN OVERALL MAJORITY.

Question 2

HOW DOES THE SUPPLEMENTARY VOTE WORK?

Answer 2

EACH VOTER GETS A PRIMARY AND SUPPLEMENTARY VOTE. CAN SELECT 1 CHOICE IF THEY PREFER. ALL 1ST VOTES ARE COUNTED AND IF A CANDIDATE RECEIVES MORE THAN 50% THEY ARE IMMEDIATELY ELECTED.

Question 3

WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS NO OUTRIGHT MAJORITY OF 1ST CHOICE VOTES?

Answer 3

THE ELECTION MOVES TO THE 2ND ROUND WHERE ALL CANDIDATES EXCEPT THE TOP 2 R ELIMINATED. 2ND CHOICE OF THOSE WHO VOTED FOR AN ELIMINATED CANDIDATE ARE REDISTRIBUTED AND THE CANDIDATE WITH THE MOST VOTES IN TOTAL IS ELECTED.

Question 4

WHERE HAS THE SUPPLEMENTARY VOTE BEEN USED?

Answer 4

1. LONDON MAYOR ELECTIONS AND OTHER MAYOR ELECTIONS IN ENGLAND
2. POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONERS IN WALES AND ENGLAND.

Question 5

WHEN WAS THE LAST MAYOR ELECTION?

Answer 5

6TH MAY 2021

Question 6

WHAT WERE THE RESULTS OF THE LAST MAYOR ELECTION?

Answer 6

1. SADIQ KHAN OF LABOUR WON 40% IN 1ST ROUND AND 55.2% IN 2ND ROUND
2. SHAUN BAILEY OF TORIES WON 35.3% IN 1ST ROUND AND 44.8% IN 2ND ROUND.

Question 7

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF SV?

Answer 7

1. ENSURES A MAJORITY FOR THE WINNER
2. SIMPLE
3. LOTS OF CHOICE

Question 8

HOW DOES SV ENSURE A MAJORITY FOR THE WINNER?

Answer 8

WINNER MUST HAVE OVER 50% OF TOTAL VOTES. GIVES WINNER BROADER LEGITIMACY AND A MANDATE FROM THE ELECTORATE. REDISTRIBUTION OF 2ND VOTES ENSURES THAT WINNER IS ACCEPTABLE TO LARGER PORTION OF VOTERS.

Question 9

HOW IS SV SIMPLE?

Answer 9

VOTERS MAKE JUST 2 CHOICES AND MEANING OF THOSE VOTES IS RELATIVELY EASY TO UNDERSTAND

Question 10

WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF SV?

Answer 10

1. WINNER MAY HAVE LESS 1ST PREFERENCES
2. TACTICAL VOTING

Question 11

WHAT IS THE DISADVANTAGE OF A WINNER HAVING LESS 1ST PREFERENCE VOTES?

Answer 11

UNDERMINES PRINCIPLE THAT THE CANDIDATE WITH THE MOST 1ST CHOICE BACKING SHOULD WIN.

Question 12

HOW DOES SV LEAD TO TACTICAL VOTING?

Answer 12

VOTERS MAY FEEL PRESSURED TO USE THEIR 2ND CHOICE TO VOTE TACTICALLY BY SELECTING A MORE VIABLE CANDIDATE RATHER THAN THEIR TRUE 2ND PREFERENCE. VOTERS MAY SUPPORT A MORE ELECTABLE CANDIDATE INSTEAD OF A CANDIDATE WHO ALIGNS MORE CLOSELY WITH THEIR VIEWS IN ORDER TO PREVENT THEIR LEAST PREFERRED CANDIDATE WINNING.