UK Voting Systems

Question 1

What is the key benefit of single transferable vote in terms of representation?

Answer 1

Ensures proportional representation
Gives smaller parties a fairer chance

Question 2

How does the single transferable vote system reduce wasted votes?

Answer 2

By allowing voters to rank candidates and transferring votes if their top choice is eliminated

Question 3

How does FPTP determine the winner in a constituency?

Answer 3

Candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins,even if they don’t have a majority

Question 4

What happens to votes for losing candidates in FPTP?

Answer 4

Not counted towards the result and are seen as “wasted votes”

Question 5

What happens if a candidate meets the required quota of votes in single transferable vote?

Answer 5

They are elected,and their surplus votes are transferred to other candidates based on voters’ preferences

Question 6

What are some solutions to the participation crisis?

Answer 6

-Electoral reform
-Online voting
-Increase political education
-Lower voting age to 16
-Compulsory voting

Question 7

How does FPTP disadvantage smaller parties?

Answer 7

Makes it harder for smaller parties to gain seats because votes are not proportionally reflected

Question 8

How does the additional member system help smaller parties?

Answer 8

-The proportional representation element

Question 9

How does voting work in the single transferable vote system?

Answer 9

Voters rank candidates in order of preference (1,2,3,etc..)

Question 10

How does the Supplementary vote system work?

Answer 10

-Voters pick a first and second choice,and if no candidate wins a majority,the second-choice voters are counted.

Question 11

What are local elections?

Answer 11

-Elects councillors
-Elected every four years

Question 12

What are voters required to do in the supplementary vote system?

Answer 12

-Voters choose a first and second preference on the ballot.

Question 13

What is the main advantage of the FPTP system in the UK?

Answer 13

-Simple
-Quick to count votes
-Often produces stable government

Question 14

How does additional member system combine different voting methods?

Answer 14

-Voters cast two votes:
-one for a local candidate in their constituency (FPTP)
-Another for a party in a regional list (proportional representation)

Question 15

Why do critics say FPTP can lead to unfair outcomes?

Answer 15

It can allow parties to win many seats without a majority of the vote.

Question 16

What happens if no candidate meets the quota in single transferable vote?

Answer 16

The candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated,and their votes are redistributed to other candidates.

Question 17

How are regional lists seats allocated in Additional Member system?

Answer 17

-Seats are distributed based on proportion of votes each party receives in the reigonal list
-Balances the results from constituency seats

Question 18

What does Additional Member System combine?

Answer 18

Constituency representations with proportional representation from party lists

Question 19

What happens if no candidate gets a majority in a supplementary vote?

Answer 19

-All but top two candidates are eliminated
-Second choice for the remaining candidates are added to their totals.

Question 20

Why might supplementary vote be seen as more dramatic than FPTP?

Answer 20

Ensures the winner has broader support by considering second choice preferences.

Question 22

What is the primary voting system used for general elections in the UK?

Answer 22

First Past the Post

Question 23

True or False: The supplementary vote is used in mayoral elections in England.

Answer 23

True

Question 24

Fill in the blank: The voting system that allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference is called _____ voting.

Answer 24

Alternative

Question 25

What voting system is used for the election of Members of the Scottish Parliament?

Answer 25

Additional Member System

Question 26

Which voting system is used for the election of the Welsh Parliament?

Answer 26

Additional Member System

Question 27

In the context of UK voting systems, what does 'AV' stand for?

Answer 27

Alternative Vote

Question 28

True or False: The Single Transferable Vote is used for local elections in Scotland.

Answer 28

True

Question 29

What is the voting system used for Northern Ireland Assembly elections?

Answer 29

Single Transferable Vote

Question 30

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a voting system used in the UK? A) First Past the Post B) Ranked Choice C) Alternative Vote D) Additional Member System

Answer 30

B) Ranked Choice

Question 31

What type of voting system is the 'Single Non-Transferable Vote'?

Answer 31

A voting system where voters can only vote for one candidate in multi-member districts.

Question 32

True or False: The Additional Member System combines First Past the Post and Proportional Representation.

Answer 32

True

Question 33

Short Answer: What is the main purpose of the Alternative Vote system?

Answer 33

To allow voters to rank candidates and ensure that elected representatives have broader support.

Question 34

Fill in the blank: The voting system used for the European Parliament elections in the UK was _____ voting.

Answer 34

Proportional Representation

Question 35

What is the key feature of the Supplementary Vote system?

Answer 35

Voters have a first and second choice, and if no candidate receives a majority, all but the top two candidates are eliminated.

Question 36

Multiple Choice: Which of the following systems is considered a proportional representation system? A) First Past the Post B) Single Transferable Vote C) Supplementary Vote D) Alternative Vote

Answer 36

B) Single Transferable Vote

Question 37

True or False: The First Past the Post system can result in a candidate winning without a majority of votes.

Answer 37

True

Question 38

What is the primary criticism of the First Past the Post voting system?

Answer 38

It can lead to a disproportionate representation of parties in Parliament.

Question 39

Fill in the blank: The _____ system is often used in local elections in England and is based on a simple plurality.

Answer 39

First Past the Post

Question 40

Short Answer: What is a key benefit of the Single Transferable Vote?

Answer 40

It allows for more representative outcomes and reduces wasted votes.

Question 41

What voting system is used for police and crime commissioner elections in England?

Answer 41

Supplementary Vote

Question 42

Multiple Choice: Which voting system uses multi-member constituencies? A) First Past the Post B) Alternative Vote C) Single Transferable Vote D) Supplementary Vote

Answer 42

C) Single Transferable Vote

Question 43

True or False: The Additional Member System is used in both Scotland and Wales.

Answer 43

True

Question 44

What is the main advantage of using the Alternative Vote system?

Answer 44

It allows voters to express preferences, potentially leading to more consensus candidates.

Question 45

Fill in the blank: The _____ voting system is designed to ensure that voters' second preferences are taken into account.

Answer 45

Supplementary

Question 46

What is the main distinction between First Past the Post and Proportional Representation?

Answer 46

First Past the Post focuses on individual candidate plurality, while Proportional Representation aims for party representation to reflect the overall vote share.