Outcomes

• Single transferable vote system

  • The overall outcome is largely proportional to the first-preference votes cast for each party
  • It results in a multi-party system
  • Encourages power sharing so coalitions are the norm
  • Can result in gridlock between divided parties
  • Breaks the link between a single representative and their constituents
  • The complex nature has confused voters
• Coalitions in Northern Ireland

  • Between divided communities
• Gridlock in Northern Ireland

  • Sinn Fein and the DUP were unable to come to a compromise and form a coalition between 2017 and 2020
• Voter confusion with STV


  • Scottish voters in 2007, when they voted using STV for local elections but also voted using AMS for Scottish Parliamentary elections