1.3.1 Different electoral systems

• In Proportional Representation (PR), seats are allocated based on the votes each party receives nationally
• In FPTP, voters cast a single vote for a candidate
• A disadvantage of PR is that it can lead to unstable coalition
• In the PR system, voters cast a vote for a party
• The PR system reduces wasted votes as most votes contribute to seat allocation.
• What is the key characteristic of the First Past the Post (FPTP) system in voting?

  Single vote for a candidate
• The FPTP system can result in wasted votes because votes for losing candidates have no impact on the outcome
• The PR system aims to ensure that the composition of the legislature matches the preferences of the electorate
• The PR system always results in majority governments.

  False
• The First Past the Post (FPTP) system is known for producing strong majority governments.


  True
• The choice of electoral system can influence the likelihood of minority governments.


  True
• In PR, seats are distributed among parties in proportion to their share of the total votes.


  True
• What does the Proportional Representation (PR) system aim to ensure?

  Fair representation of voters
• What is one advantage of the PR system regarding representation?

  Fair representation of parties
• Match the element of an electoral system with its description:

  Voter Registration ↔️ Ensures eligible citizens can vote

  Ballot Design ↔️ Layout of the voting paper

  Vote Counting ↔️ Process of tallying votes accurately

  Seat Allocation ↔️ Distributing seats based on votes
• The choice of electoral system can significantly impact the political landscape
• What is one disadvantage of the FPTP system regarding representation?

  Disproportional representation
• Match the electoral system with its advantage:

  FPTP ↔️ Produces stable governments

  PR ↔️ Ensures fair representation
• In the PR system, most votes contribute to seat allocation
• FPTP tends to produce strong single-party majority
• FPTP often results in single-party majority governments, which provide political stability
• Match the term with its definition:

  Electoral systems ↔️ Rules to translate votes into seats

  Vote allocation ↔️ Distributing votes to determine winners
• The Additional Member System (AMS) combines FPTP and PR principles.


  True
• In PR, what do voters cast their vote for?

  A party
• What is the Proportional Representation (PR) system based on?

  Percentage of votes
• What type of governments does the PR system tend to produce?

  Coalition governments
• What is a potential drawback of the PR system compared to simpler systems like FPTP?

  Complexity
• What is an advantage of FPTP in terms of the voting process?

  Simplicity
• What is a key advantage of PR in terms of representation?

  Fair representation
• What is a key weakness of the First Past the Post (FPTP) system in terms of representation?

  Disproportional representation
• Match the strength of FPTP with its description:

  Simple to Understand ↔️ Straightforward voting process

  Stable Governments ↔️ Results in single-party majority
• In PR systems, most votes contribute to the allocation of seats
• The Single Transferable Vote (STV) system is used in Ireland and Malta
• The Additional Member System (AMS) aims to balance local representation with national proportionality
• PR systems often lead to coalition governments, which can be less stable than single-party majorities.


  True
• PR systems can lead to government instability due to coalitions.


  True
• PR systems may lead to coalition governments that are less stable than single-party majority governments.


  True
• FPTP is simple to understand and tends to produce strong majority governments
• In FPTP, voters cast a single vote for a candidate
• In PR, seats are distributed in proportion to their share of the total votes