1.7 Electoral Systems

• What are electoral systems used for in a democracy?

  Converting votes into seats
• Proportional representation ensures that seats in a legislature exactly match the vote share of each party.


  True
• Rank the main types of electoral systems from most to least proportional:

  1️⃣ Proportional

  2️⃣ Mixed

  3️⃣ Majoritarian
• What is the district type in FPTP electoral systems?

  Single-member
• In FPTP, votes for losing candidates are wasted.


  True
• Match the electoral system with its characteristic:

  Majoritarian ↔️ Winner-take-all

  Proportional ↔️ Seats match vote share

  Mixed ↔️ Combines FPTP and party list
• Proportional systems use multi-member districts to allocate seats based on vote share.
• Match the type of electoral system with its definition:

  Majoritarian ↔️ Single-member districts with the most votes win

  Proportional ↔️ Multi-member districts allocate seats by vote share

  Mixed ↔️ Combines majoritarian and proportional elements
• Which electoral system is used in the UK for general elections?

  FPTP (First Past the Post)
• Why does FPTP often lead to a two-party system?

  Winner-take-all
• Majoritarian systems tend to produce a two-party system.
• What is the aim of mixed electoral systems?

  Balance representation and accountability
• Electoral systems improve legitimacy by ensuring the elected legislature reflects the diversity of the electorate.
• What is a key advantage of the Alternative Vote (AV) system?

  Greater voter choice
• What type of party system does the majoritarian electoral system tend to produce?

  Two-party system
• Electoral systems promote stability by fostering long-term planning and policy implementation
• Mixed electoral systems aim to balance representation and accountability.


  True
• One advantage of FPTP is its clarity and simplicity.
• What percentage of the national vote did the Conservative Party win in the 2019 UK general election?

  43%
• Majoritarian systems use single-member districts where the candidate with the most votes wins the seat.


  True
• Order the functions of electoral systems in a democracy:

  1️⃣ Representation

  2️⃣ Accountability

  3️⃣ Participation

  4️⃣ Stability
• Electoral systems encourage citizen involvement in the electoral process.


  True
• The Single Transferable Vote (STV) is highly proportional and reduces wasted votes.


  True
• What is one advantage of single-member constituencies?

  Clarity and simplicity
• What does FPTP stand for in electoral systems?

  First Past the Post
• FPTP is known for its clarity and simplicity.

  True
• PR systems encourage the participation of smaller parties.


  True
• In STV, surplus votes are transferred to second-choice candidates
• Party List PR ensures high proportionality
• Electoral systems are the methods used to convert votes into seats in a legislature.


  True
• What is a key characteristic of proportional systems?

  Seats match vote share
• Proportional systems ensure high individual accountability for representatives.

  False
• The STV system is used in elections for the Northern Ireland Assembly
• FPTP produces clear majority governments.

  True
• In STV, surplus votes are transferred to second-choice candidates.


  True
• Proportional representation encourages the participation of smaller parties
• How do voters rank candidates in the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system?

  By preference
• Party List PR and STV both have high proportionality in seat allocation.


  True
• STV ensures greater voter choice
• Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) combines majoritarian and proportional elements.


  True