Voting Systems

Question 1

What are the disadvantages of FPTP?

Answer 1

• not proportional (votes≠seats)
• causes tactical voting
• a party can govern without a majority of votes
• smaller parties are poorly represented
• all other countries use proportional representation
• turnout is low as people think their vote makes no difference

Question 2

What are the advantages of FPTP?

Answer 2

• usually delivers a strong majority government
• easy to count and understand
• extremist parties such as the BNP are less likely to be elected
• encourages greater accountability as it creates a strong link between voters and representatives

Question 3

What are the advantages of AMS?

Answer 3

• broadly proportional (% votes is approximately equal to % seats)
• retains link between MSPs and constituencies
• smaller parties are more fairly represented
• fewer votes are wasted as every vote counts in the second vote

Question 4

What are the disadvantages of AMS?

Answer 4

• almost always produces minority or coalition government (green and SNP)
• reduction in turnout may occur as people are confused by two votes
• can reduce accountability as party chooses representative in 2nd vote

Question 5

What are the advantages of STV?

Answer 5

• votes are not wasted as every number counts
• does not cause tactical voting
• more proportional so more representative
• smaller parties more likely to be represented fairly and receive more seats

Question 6

What are the disadvantages of STV?

Answer 6

• more complicated system may reduce turnout or cause voting papers to be invalid due to confusion
• more difficult to count
• election results take much longer to announce