voting systems

• What are the key features of AMS

  • Voters get two votes
  • Vote for two types of MSPs
  • Result is more proportional
• One key feature of AMS is that voters get two votes

  • This means that the people of Scotland get to make two choices on who they would like to be represented by in the Scottish Parliament
  • For example, the people of Cumbernauld and Kilsyth would vote in the Cumbernauld and Kilsyth constituency and Central Scotland region
• Another key feature of AMS is that there are two types of MSPs that voters can vote for

  • This means that MSPs in the Scottish Parliament are either constituency MSPs or regional MSPs
  • For example, Jamie Hepburn is the constituency MSP for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth and Mark Griffin is one of the 7 regional MSPs representing Central Scotland
• Another key feature of AMS is that the result is more proportional

  • This means that the percentage of seats in parliament the parties get is closer to the percentage of votes they received
  • For example, in 2021 the Conservatives got around 23% of the vote and around 24% of the seats
• What are advantages of AMS

  • Fairer than other systems
  • A link between constituents and representatives
  • Voters have more choice with having two votes
• One advantage of AMS is that it is fairer than other systems

  • This means that it is seen as fair voting system as it produces a close match between shares of votes and shares of seats. As the vote in proportional meaning the number of votes a party gets is closely linked to the number of seats, smaller parties may have more of a chance of success
  • For example, in 2021 Scottish Parliament election, the Conservatives won about 23% of the vote and aboutn24% of the seats
• Another advantage of AMS is that there is a link between the constituents and representatives

  • This means that with AMS all the people living in a constituency get a vote for their local MSP and they also get an additional 7 MSPs to represent them meaning that voters can go to one of 8 MSPs with their concerns
  • For example, Jamie Hepburn is the local MSP for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth Constituency but there are 7 other MSPs for Central Scotland from Labour, Conservatives and Greens, meaning supporters from these parties are still represented
• What are the disadvantages of AMS

  • Can lead to an unstable and weak government
  • Creates conflict between constituency MSP and seven regional MSPs
  • Complicated with people getting two votes
• Another advantage of AMS is that voters have more choice with two votes

  • This means that they can give support to more than one party if they want to and there are less wasted votes,. It also allows for people to vote for an MSP they like to represent their constituency but they might actually support a different party for the full region
  • For example, many voters give their second vote to smaller parties, like the Scottish Green Party but may have picked the SNP candidate in their constituency
• One disadvantage of AMS is that it can lead to an unstable and weak government as it often results in coalitions

  • This means that because winning parties will often have under 50% of the seats in parliament they need to negotiate with other parties to pass any laws they want
  • For example, the minority SNP government of 2021 would find it difficult to get legislation passed and so had to agree with the Green Party to form an unofficial coalition, in return for their support on key issues
• Another disadvantage of AMS is that it creates conflict between the constituency MSP and the seven Regional MSPs

  • There is a clear rivalry between the two classes of MPS's. MPSs elected via the regional lists have been seen has having "got in via the back door"
  • For example, Jamie Hepburn of the Cumbernauld and Kilsyth constituency may not like it when a regional MSP from the Conservative party gets involved in local issues
• Another disadvantage of AMS is that it can be complicated with people getting confused with their two votes

  • Some voters are not sure how to complete the ballot paper. They might think that they have to vote for the same party with both of their votes
  • For example, some commentators have argued that the low turnout rate at Scottish Parliament elections is due to confusion over the system. In 2016, turnout was only 55.6%, though this did increase in 2021