electoral systems

• where is fptp used?

  general elections and english local elections
• where is alternative vote (av) used?

  currently not used, but proposed use in 2011 referendum
• where is supplementary vote (sv) used?

  mayoral & police and crime commissioner in england and wales until may 2023
• where is additional member system used?

  elections in welsh and scottish govs
• where is party list system used?

  eu votes until 2019
• what is a majoritarian electoral system?

  electoral system where the candidate or party have to have a simple or overall majority to win
• what is a proportional system?

  electoral system that calculate the number of elected representatives by the actual number of votes the party revives
• which voting systems are majoritarian?

  • fptp
  • alternative vote
  • supplementary vote
• which voting systems are proportional?

  • single transferable vote
  • party list
  • additional member system
• how many seats does a party need to have a majority?

  326
• what are the 4 functions of elections?

  • representation
  • choosing a government
  • holding a government and representatives to account
  • participation and influence over policy
• how is speed and simplicity and advantage of fptp?

  • easy for voters
  • only have to select one candidate/party
  • result is easy to count (1997 TB arrived at downing street the day after the election)
  • can be seen as a key factor for those who support the system (2011 av referendum, 42% turnout, 68% voted against)
  • more proportional systems mean coalition is more likely, which can take longer to form (2007 scottish parliament election took 2 weeks for snp minority gov to be sworn in after failed coalition talks with lib dem)