Year 1 - SV

Question 1

What elections use Supplementary Vote ?

Answer 1

Police and crime commissioners, and formally the London mayor and other elected mayors

Question 2

SV explained

Answer 2

• Voters have 2 preferential votes.
• If a candidate wins more than 50% of the first choice votes, they’re elected
• If no candidate wins 50% all but the top 2 candidates are eliminated and the one with the most 1st and 2nd choice votes are elected E.G 2016 London mayoral election

Question 3

SV Advantages

Answer 3

• Reduces tactical voting by allowing you to vote for your 1st choice without fear of wasting your vote.
• Like FPTP, ensures good MP- constituency link as it uses single-member constituencies.
• Encourages moderate campaigning as gaining 2nd choice votes are important e.g 2016 London mayoral

Question 4

SV Disadvantages

Answer 4

• Smaller parties discriminated, as only 2/3 main candidates make the cut
• It is possible for voters to unintentionally defeat their preferred candidate because voters must guess which two candidates will advance to the final round and allocate their votes accordingly.
• wasted votes as ones cast in the 1st round may end up not being transferring and not counted in the 2nd

Question 5

SV OUTCOME

Answer 5

• Strong single party gov.
• Like FPTP, parties can get a maj of seats without getting 50% of the votes cast and thus not very proportional
• Type of rep. ensures 1 party obtains a maj. of seats