UK Politics key terms 3: Electoral Systems

Question 1

FPTP

Answer 1

> most votes wins
plurality system

Question 2

ADDITIONAL MEMBER SYSTEM (AMS)

Answer 2

Hybrid system - voter makes 2 choices:
1) selects a representative on a simple plurality (FPTP) system
2) second vote to a party list for a second or ‘additional’ representative

Question 3

SINGLE TRANSFERRABLE VOTE (STV) - don’t rly understand

Answer 3

> rank numerically
1 vote per voter
candidate must obtain a quota for a seat
After votes cast:
-more numbers than quota = elected - extra votes go to second candidate
-least votes = eliminated - their votes transferred - those candidates with excess votes above the quota also have their votes transferred

Question 4

SUPPLEMENTARY VOTE (SV)

Answer 4

> majoritarian system
voter = 2 choices
~IF 1 candidate gets over 50% on first vote then contest is complete
~IF not then everyone but the top 2 candidates are eliminated - then supplementary votes re-distributed - whoever gets most votes from the remaining two wins the seat
ended for voting for mayors & police & crime commissioners by the Elections Act 2022

Question 5

SAFE SEAT

Answer 5

> Incumbent has considerable majority over the closest rival and largely immune from swings in voting choice
same pol party in seat election after election
majority of seats in Westminster UK constituencies are safe seats

Question 6

MARGINAL SEAT

Answer 6

> Held by incumbent with a small majority