U1 Electoral Systems Flashcards
What is First-past-the-post (FPTP)?
An electoral system where the person with the most number of votes is elected. Victory is achieved by having one more vote than other contenders - it is also called a plurality system.
What is the Additional Member System (AMS)?
A hybrid electoral system that has two components or elements. The voter makes two choices: firstly, selecting a representative on a simple plurality (FPTP) system, then a second vote is apportioned to a party list for a second or ‘additional’ representative.
What is the Single Transferable Vote (STV)?
This system allows voters to rank their voting preferences in numerical order rather than simply having one voting choice. In order to obtain a seat, a candidate must obtain a quota. After the votes are cast, those with the least votes are eliminated and their votes transferred, and those candidates with excess votes above the quota also have their votes transferred.
What is the Supplementary Vote (SV)?
This is a majoritarian system where the voter makes two choices. If one candidate obtains over 50% on the first vote, the contest is complete. If no candidate attains this level, all but the top two candidates are eliminated. Then the supplementary choices are re-distributed and whoever gets most votes from the remaining two wins the seat. This form of voting for mayors and police and crime commissioners was ended by the Elections Act in 2022.
What is a safe seat?
A seat in which the incumbent has a considerable majority over the closest rival and which is largely immune from swings in voting choice. The same political party retains the seat from election to election. A majority of seats in UK Westminster constituencies are safe seats.
What is a marginal seat?
A seat held by the incumbent with a small majority. There is no precise percentage or winning margin to which this aligns, but a 10% margin would need only a swing of 5% to the rival party to take it. Marginal seats are important as they are where the outcomes of elections are decided. Only a minority of seats in UK Westminster constituencies are marginal.
What is a minority government?
A government that enters office but does not have a majority of seats in the legislature (Parliament). This makes passing legislation very difficult.
What is a coalition government?
A government that is formed of more than one political party. It is normally accompanied by an agreement over policy options and office of state, as was the Conservative-Liberal-Democrat coalition from 2010-2015.
