Alternative voting systems

Question 1

Where is STV used?

Answer 1

NI - stormont assembly + local gov elections
Scotland - local elections

Question 2

STV disadvantages

Answer 2

• complex to understand and may result in low tun out
• UNSTABLE GOVERNMENTS
  -can be seen as a lengthy process
• internal conflict as candidates can be running from the same parties
  likely to produce coalition governments
  can be less proportional

Question 3

STV advantages

Answer 3

• delivers proportional outcomes
• voter can express preferential veiw on candidates

Question 4

STV NI

Answer 4

2017 Election vote share similar to seats eg DUP 28% votes 31% seats
2022 NI Assembly
Sinn feint 29 votes 27 seats

Question 5

Where is AMS used?

Answer 5

Scottish parliament
Welsh assembly
London assembly

Question 6

AMS advantages

Answer 6

• fair/ proportional
• reduces wasted votes
  -increased voters Choice ‘split-ticket votes’
  -zipping

Question 7

AMS disadvantage

Answer 7

• creates two-tier assembly representatives 1= constituency duties and other without= tension
• parties have significant control over close list candidates. Which means people don’t have direct control
• can have less proportional outcome AMS : FPTP is low
  Eg Welsh assembly 33% : 67%
  -larger parties can be over represented

Question 8

AMS- Scottish parliment

Answer 8

2016 - saw greater proportionality in larger parties SNP
2021 - SNP 44% of votes 49% seats

Question 9

where was SV used

Answer 9

was used to elect mayor of London. mayors in other towns or cities and police and crime commisioner (PCCs)

Question 10

SV advantages

Answer 10

• Winning candidate must receive broad support which would boost legitimacy
• Boosted winning % of first preference choice winner to over 50% in 2016 and 2012
• Supporters of smaller parties can make their alience publicly
• increase engagement

Question 11

SV Disadvantages

Answer 11

The winning candidates could potentially be elected without winning majority majority due to 2nd perferences votes
The 2nd most popular candidate could potentially win after the 2nd choice votes are counted in meaning the least popular candidates wins
Not proportional

Question 12

SV Summary

Answer 12

Voters can record their first and second preference (more voter choice and reduces wasted votes) If no candidate wins majority after the first vote everyone but the top 2 are eliminated then the 2nd performance would continue to have an impact but being added to the top 2
IF U DONT WIN THE MAJORITY 1ST TIME THE WINNING CANDIDATE COULD GET A BOOST AND INCREASE THEIR MANDATE
2012. London mayor - B.J + K Livingston
B.J won 51.53%

Question 13

SV LONDON

Answer 13

2021 S Khan 40 pre 1 69 pref 2

Question 14

AMS SP ELECT

Answer 14

2021
SNP 44:49
CON 23:24
2019
SNP 45:81
CON 25:10