Advantages & Disadvantages of Different Systems of Voting
Majority System (to ensure winner receives 50%+) =
Proportional (seats reflect proportion of votes cast) =
Hybrid (mixture of the systems, including plurality) =
Voting system How it works
Alternative Vote System Voters have the opportunity to
rank candidates in order of
preference. If candidate
receives 50%+ of votes then
he/she is instantly elected.
Otherwise, candidate with
lowest number of first
preferences is eliminated and
his/her second preferences
redistributed to other
candidates. Process continues
until one candidate has more
than 50% of vote.
Used in Australian House of
Representatives
Supplementary Vote System Voters have two preference
votes. Candidates with 50+ in
first ballot win, otherwise only 2
candidates with highest
number of preference votes
remain. Second preference
Advantages Disadvantages
Voters don’t have to indicate Results tend to favour centre
second preferences parties – because ‘winning
candidate isn’t always first
Retains constituency choice but almost always is
representation as one second choice’ (Roberts)
candidate is elected for each
constituency. Ensures winning
candidate has 50+ of vote,
hence ‘majority system’.
Retains constituency
representation. Produces
stronger govts. (than PR).
Simpler than AV. Avoids third
place candidates coming
through on second ballot.
 votes are added to the votes
for these two candidates and
the one with the most votes
wins.
Used in London Mayoral
Elections of 2000
Second Ballot System Voting takes place on 2
separate occasions. If one
candidate wins 50%+, he/she
wins. Otherwise there is a
second ballot later, when either
the candidates with a threshold
quota of votes or the top two
candidates are allowed to
stand
Used in French Presidential
elections (threshold 12.5%)
List System Closed List system
Designed for multi-member
constituencies – in effect a
whole city, region or even
country could be one
constituency
Each party submits a list of
candidates for a constituency,
but electorate only vote for
party. Seats allocated to each
party in accordance with
proportion of vote received.
Then candidates allocated to
seats, working down the list
from the top.
Provides choice – voters can
vote for their favourite party in
first round and then candidate
in the second when they know
the result
Votes aren’t wasted because
voters can make a second
choice
General advantages of PR
systems:
Party representation mirrors
support for party across the
country
Provides voters with greater
choice
Mid-term vacancies can be
filled by next candidate down in
list without holding another
election
Not proportional & does not
ensure fair representation for
smaller parties
Encourages pacts between
parties to allow stronger
candidates a better chance
Links between MP and
constituencies are weaker
because constituencies are
multi-member
Less accountability to
electors as a consequence
Lists are drawn up by
parties, voters have very
little choice
 Open List system: electorate
can express preference for
candidates

Used in many countries

already, e.g. Sweden, Norway,
Belgium, Spain and Finland
and for European Parliament
Elections

Single Transferable Vote Country is divided into multi- All the advantages of Difficult to hold by-elections, so
member constituencies. Parties proportionality above different versions of STV used
can offer as many candidates or AV system, or refer back to
as there are seats, eg. 2 seats Greater element of choice for original ballot and give the seat
for Maidstone, so two constituents as they can to the next most popular
candidates possible per party choose between candidates candidate
To win a seat, candidates must and rank them in order of
reach a set quota (no. of votes preference Very complex
cast divided by no. of seats
available +1, plus one). If They can also just vote for one
candidate reaches quota on or two candidates if they
first preferences then he/she is choose
elected. Surplus votes are
redistributed proportionally to
other candidates. If a seat is
empty because there are no
one has reached the quota, the
candidate with the least 1st
preferences is eliminated and
his/her votes redistributed

Used in Republic of Ireland,

 Australia (Senate) and in
N.Ireland (Euro. Elections,
Assembly)
Additional Member System System devised by Allies
following occupation of
Germany after WWII
Currently used in Germany &
Hungary, Welsh & Scottish
Assemblies
Mixture of plurality system and
PR system. Electorate have 2
votes, 1 for constituency
candidate & 1 for party.
Constituency candidates votes
by simple majority, remaining
seats allocated according to
regional party lists on a
proportional basis.
Alternative Vote Plus As above, but constituency
System seats allocated on preference
vote as with alternative vote
system
Share of seats won by a party Creates 2 types of reps. –
in a constituency is compared elected candidates and
with proportion of vote overall appointed from regional lists.
and discrepancies are
corrected by allocation of seats Creates larger constituencies
from regional party lists. than under current system
However, parties need to cross
a ‘threshold’, e.g. 3
constituency seats or 5% of
party vote.
Retain best features of plurality
and majority systems –
constituency based
representation, parties are
allocated seats more fairly
Best features of plurality & Creates 2 types of
majority systems – local representatives as above
MPs, fair representation in
terms of seats in Parliament The proportion of seats used to
& clarity top up the total number of
seats allocated effects the
proportionality of the system. If
less than 50%+ then the
system lacks proportionality
(Roberts, p.226)