UK Electoral Systems Flashcards
What is a Single-Member Plurality System?
1 person represents each district (also known as First Past The Post)
What is Proportional Representation?
A given district has multiple people representing it with seats distributed proportionally according to vote
What is district magnitude?
The number of seats per district
The greater district magnitude, the more proportional the results
What is Duverger’s Law?
“Electoral systems” impact party systems
What are some problems with the Single-Member Plurality System?
Disproportionality
Potential for “gerrymandering”
Makes it harder for minorities to win
What are the benefits of Proportional Representation?
Fairer Representation
More parties
Difficult to partisan gerrymander
Better representation for minorities
What are some problems with Proportional Representation?
May lead to coalition governments
Small parties have disproportionate influence
Extreme parties gain representation
What are the benefits of the Single-Member Plurality System?
Potentially more stable
Potentially easier to get things done
Extremist parties are kept out
What is an Alternative Vote?
Voters rank their preferences next to candidate name and if one candidate gets majority they win, if not “instant runoff”
What is a nonpreferential vote?
Parties pick the rank order of candidates; voters can’t change
What is a preferential vote?
Voters indicate preferred candidate
What is a semi-preferential vote?
Parties present a ranked list and voters may either check box for the party or check box next to particular candidate
