Alternative Vote

Question 1

What is alternative vote?

Answer 1

The AV is a relatively unusual electoral system, only used in Australia today. Recently called the best alternative to FPTP in the UK.

Question 2

What are the characteristics of AV?

Answer 2

• Held in SMD’s
• Gives more options that FPTP as electors can rank order their preferences
• Enables voters to express their preference between candidates

Question 3

How does AV compare to FPTP?

Answer 3

AV differs in the way the votes are counted.

• A candidate who has won 50 % + 1 are immediately elected.
• But, if no candidate has an absolute majority then the candidate with the lowest amount of first preferences is eliminated and so on.

Question 4

What are the advantages of AV?

Answer 4

• Transferring ballots enables the votes of several alligned candidates to accumulate.
• Diverse but different interests can be further represented.
• Enables supporters of candidates who have little hope of being elected the ability to influence the overall majority winnder by using their preference votes.

Question 5

What are the disadvantages of AV?

Answer 5

• Requites a reasomable degree of literacy and numeracy to be used effectively.
• Produces results disproportionate to PR because it operates in SMD.
• AV does not work well in larger multi-member districts.