Where is STV used?
Northern Ireland (assembly elections, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland (local government elections)
How is it counted?
Voters rank candidates in order of preference (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.).
A vote quota is calculated based on total votes and number of seats.
Any candidate who reaches the quota is elected.
Extra votes above the quota are transferred to voters’ next choices.
If no one meets the quota, the least popular candidate is eliminated.
Votes for eliminated candidates transfer to next preferences.
The process repeats until all seats are filled.
STV is a what system
proportional
STV definition
a proportional representation voting system used in multi-member constinuencies
Advantages of STV
Voter choice- you can vote for multiple candidates even from the same party, can choose candidates not just party
Proportional System- gives a fairer reflection of votes to seats
Reduces wasted votes- more proportional outcomes
Encourages moderate candidates- candidates appeal to broader base to gain transferred votes
Fairer representation- smaller parties get a chance
Accountability - more than one councillor to contact more points of accountability
Some constituency link
Allows new parties to emerge & grow
Disadvantages of STV
more complex- harder for voters to understand
counting takes longer- can delay results
weak link between MP and constinuency- multiple representatives instead of one
can encourage tactical voting- voters may rank strategically
No individual constituency link
Results on low preferences
Easier for extremists to get elected (but note Northern Ireland)
Instability / changes
Coalitions
Example of how Northern Ireland 2022 Assembly results show proportionality
Sinn Fein got 30% of the seats and 29%of the votes
Example of how STV allows for smaller parties to have a better chance
In Scottish local council electins smaller parties like the Green party ot independents have won seats in STV wards that would be impossoble under FPTP
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Referendums3
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Politics key terms9
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Single Transferable Vote8
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First Pass the Post6
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AMS9
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1979 Election case study10
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1.0 Key terms Constitution19
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1.1 History of UK consitution13
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2.1 Political parties.35
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2.2 Established Political Parties17
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1.2.1 Under Labour 1997–2010: House of Lords reforms, electoral reform; devolution; Human Rights Act 1998; and the Supreme Court.5
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1.2.2 How the constitution has changed since 1997 Under the Coalition 2010–15: Fixed Term Parliaments, Act 2011; further devolution to Wales.7
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1.2.3 Any major reforms undertaken by governments since 2015, including further devolution to Scotland (in the context of the Scottish Referendum)3
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2.1.2 The main functions of the House of Commons and House of Lords and the extent to which these functions are fulfilled7
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2.3 The legislative process- the different stages a bill must go through to become law1
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1.2.3 Any major reforms undertaken by governments since 2015, including further devolution to Scotland (in the context of the Scottish Referendum).0
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1.2 Consitutional Change since 1997 Overview19
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1.3 The role and powers of devolved bodies in the UK, and the impact of this devolution on the UK.3
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4.1 The Supreme Court5
