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Ballot Paper
Once upon a time, you were only given one
ballot paper.
This ballot paper was only counted once in a secure polling
booth.
So one vote had only one ‘value’ and all voters
could understand the system.
Now
days your vote may be counted again once more or several
times more depending on the counting system used in any
particular election in Council, State or Federal elections
in any particular country at a depreciating level for people
you may not know, dislike or even adhor.
Voters have seldom had complex systems of vote counting
explained to them. The Daily Telegraph UK (June 11,2000) has
done so, as follows:
(A) First past the post
How it works
Put X (or
1
depending on the relevant rules) next to the name of a
candidate.
The candidate with the most votes wins.
Advantage
Easy to understand. A voter can express a view on which
party should win.
Disadvantage
Wastes millions of voters as those that have been cast for
the loser, or the winner above the level they need to get a
seat, count for nothing.
Who wins
Conservatives and Labor
Who loses
Liberal Democrats and minor parties.
(B) Alternative (preferential) vote (Australia and New
Zealand)
How it works
Candidates are ranked in order of preference. If no one
receives more than 50% of the vote, the one with the least
votes is eliminated. Votes are re-allocated according to
second choices until someone has 50%.
Advantage
Sitting MP’s would have most of local electorate’s support.
Disadvantage
Prone to ‘donkey’ voting as voters rank candidates without
knowing enough about them.
Who wins
Conservatives and Labor
Who loses
Minor Parties
(C)
Proportional representation (EU elections for England,
Scotland and Wales)
The NZ parliament plans to abolish this
system as unworkable.
How it works
Closed party list system. Votes are cast for parties not
people. MP’s ranking on the list is decided by party
managers.
Advantage
Lists ensure women and ethnic minorities are represented.
Disadvantage
Lists are impersonal, weakening any link between MP and
local area.
Who wins
Party managers who choose
candidates. Minor parties such as the BNP
Who loses
Voters who have no choice
of candidate. Conservatives and Labor
(D) Additional member (Scottish Parliament, Welsh and London
Assemblies)
How it works
Vote via first past the post with a second vote for party of
choice.
Advantage
Voter can support candidates campaigning on single issues,
such as hospitals and their favourite party.
Disadvantage
Some MP’s are chosen for being a member of a party rather
than on their merits.
Who wins
Minor parties
Who loses
Tories and Labor
(E) Single Transferable Vote (Northern Ireland)
How it works
Preferential voting in multi-member constituency. Each voter
gets one ballot, which translates from their first to their
second preference. Candidates with least votes are
eliminated and votes redistributed.
Advantages
Voters get more choice than any other system.
Disadvantages
It can lead to massive
constituencies.
Who wins
Candidates rather than party managers
Who loses
Party managers
(F) Supplementary Vote (London Mayoral Contest)
How it works
Put X in the first column for first choice candidate,
another in the second column. When a candidate gets 50% of
the vote, they are elected. If not, votes for a second
choice are reallocated between two top candidates.
Advantage
It gives the voter more power because both first and second
preference count.
Disadvantage
The winner may not have the support of at least 50% of the
electorate.
Who wins
Liberal Democrats and Greens
Who loses
Conservatives and Labour
(G) Alternative Vote Plus (Proposed by UK Jenkins
Commission in 1999)
How it works
Hybrid system where about 500 MP’s are elected for
individual constituencies after voters rank candidates in
order of preference. Top-up of about 150 members to ensure a
broad proportionality between votes cast and seats won.
Advantage
It retains the link between the constituency and the Member
of Parliament.
Disadvantage
No proportionality in constituency.
Who wins
Liberal Democrats (left-leaning) and/or minor parties
Who Loses
Tories/Labour |
