Unit 11 - Elections and Referendum Flashcards
What is a parliamentary constituency? How many are there?
A constituency is a geographical area that is represented by an MP. Currently there are 650 constituencies.
What may be the reason why people are reluctant to register to vote? How has the problem been addressed?
Electors were concerned that electoral register (rolls) could be sold. This was addressed by creating two versions. One version has very restricted use. Electors may choose to be omitted from the edited version that is sold.
At what age can you stand for election to the House of Commons?
18 years of age.
What is an election deposit and under what circumstances can it be forfeited?
An election deposit is a payment that candidates in parliamentary elections have to put down. For Westminster (House of Commons) elections the figure is £500 and this will be lost if the candidate fails to achieve 5% of the votes cast. The purpose, that patently does not work, is to prevent frivolous candidates from standing.
Explain the roles of electoral registration officers and (acting) returning officers.
Electoral registration officers are local authority employees who are responsible for drawing up the electoral register. Returning officers who are often the same person as the electoral registration officer is responsible for running the election and the count.
Outline the role of the Electoral Commission.
Electoral Commission is an independent body, answerable to parliament that: registers political parties and their logos (to ensure that the names / logos are not designed to deceive the electorate); that registers and publishes donations and loans over a certain amount made to political parties (to prevent corruption); limits the amount that political parties can spend on the national and local campaigns (to prevent elections being bought); tries to encourage a higher participation rate in elections; oversees the running of referendums.
What electoral system is used for elections to the House of Commons? What are the main advantages and disadvantages of the system?
First-past-the-post is where there are single member constituencies, electors vote for a candidate and the candidate with most votes wins. The system is easy to understand; there is a close link between the MP and the constituency; it leads to strong and stable governments; it encourages the two party system. The outcome does not reflect the will of the people – majority parties get more seats than they deserve; minority parties get fewer than they deserve.
What is a coalition government? What issues does it raise?
Coalition governments are made up of two or more parties. Deals have to be done between the partners after the elections – electors are unaware of the deals when they vote. Coalitions can be weak, particularly if they are made of many parties.
What is proportional representation? Is the alternative vote PR?
PR is an electoral system where the number of seats won by each party is in proportion to the votes gained by each party. The alternative vote is not proportional and was rejected in the 2011 referendum.
Explain the key principles of the list system.
There are multi member constituencies; political parties put up lists of candidates; electors vote for the party lists; seats are allocated to parties in proportion to the votes they have gained; parties then allocate candidates to seats won.
Explain the key principles of the alternative vote.
There are single member constituencies; electors place candidates in order of preference; all first choices are added up; if a candidate has over 50% of the votes, that candidate is elected; if not, the bottom candidate drops out and their votes are redistributed to their second and subsequent supporters; continues until one candidate has over 50%.
Explain the key principles of the additional member system.
This is a mixture of first-past-the-post and the list system. Electors have two votes. The majority of the representatives are elected by FPTP and a minority by the list system.
What is a referendum? Are they commonly used in the UK?
A referendum is a vote by the electorate on a constitutional or policy issue. They were relatively uncommon in the UK, where until the last five years there had been just one national referendum for the whole of the UK. Since then we have had a referendum on the alternative vote and, in major cities, proposals for elected mayors and the Brexit vote on the EU.
What are wards and divisions?
Wards and divisions are electoral areas for local elections.
What are the three electoral cycles for local elections in England?
All-out elections; election by thirds (annual elections); elections by halves.
