Electoral Systems + Referendums

Question 1

What does “one person, one vote” mean in FPTP?

Answer 1

Each voter casts one vote for one candidate.

Question 2

How is a winner decided in FPTP?

Answer 2

The candidate with the most votes wins (simple plurality).

Question 3

How many constituencies are there in the UK under FPTP?

Answer 3

650 constituencies.

Question 4

What is the average number of voters per UK constituency?

Answer 4

Around 80,000.

Question 5

How many seats are needed for a majority government in the UK?

Answer 5

326 seats.

Question 6

Define “plurality”.

Answer 6

Receiving more votes than any other candidate.

Question 7

Define “absolute majority”.

Answer 7

Receiving more than 50% of the total votes.

Question 8

What is a “safe seat”?

Answer 8

A seat unlikely to change hands during an election.

Question 9

What is a “marginal seat”?

Answer 9

A seat likely to change hands, e.g., North East Derbyshire.

Question 10

What kind of governments does FPTP typically produce?

Answer 10

Strong majority governments.

Question 11

How does FPTP limit extremism?

Answer 11

By making it harder for extremist parties to win seats.

Question 12

Why is FPTP quick and simple?

Answer 12

It’s easy to vote and count, reducing ballot errors.

Question 13

What kind of voter-representative link exists in FPTP?

Answer 13

A strong MP-constituency link.

Question 14

Why is FPTP considered undemocratic by critics?

Answer 14

It often produces disproportionate results (e.g. Reform party example).

Question 15

What are “wasted votes”?

Answer 15

Votes that do not contribute to electing a candidate.

Question 16

Where is STV used?

Answer 16

Northern Irish Assembly, Scottish Local Elections.

Question 17

How does STV work?

Answer 17

Voters rank candidates; votes are redistributed until all seats are filled.

Question 18

What formula does STV use?

Answer 18

Quota = votes / (seats + 1) + 1.

Question 19

Is STV proportional?

Answer 19

Yes, highly proportional.

Question 20

One advantage of STV for voters?

Answer 20

Wide choice and second/third preferences counted.

Question 21

One disadvantage of STV?

Answer 21

Complex voting and counting process.

Question 22

Where is AMS used?

Answer 22

Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly.

Question 23

How many votes does each voter have in AMS?

Answer 23

Two votes: one for a constituency MSP and one for a regional list.

Question 24

What formula is used to allocate regional seats?

Answer 24

D’Hondt method: party votes / (seats already won + 1).

Question 25

Is AMS proportional?

Answer 25

Yes, more proportional than FPTP.

Question 26

One benefit of AMS?

Answer 26

Supports smaller parties while keeping MP-constituency link.

Question 27

One downside of AMS?

Answer 27

Creates two classes of representatives.

Question 28

Where was SV used?

Answer 28

London Mayoral Elections.

Question 29

How does SV work?

Answer 29

Voters choose a first and second preference; second preferences are used if no candidate gets over 50%.

Question 30

Advantage of SV?

Answer 30

Winning candidate has overall majority support.

Question 31

Disadvantage of SV?

Answer 31

Legitimacy questioned if second choices decide the result.

Question 32

What type of party system does FPTP support?

Answer 32

Two-party politics.

Question 33

Does FPTP usually produce a majority government?

Answer 33

Yes, though exceptions exist (e.g., 2010 and 2017).

Question 34

Why was the AV referendum unsuccessful?

Answer 34

Low support (32% yes), low turnout (43%), and unclear benefits.

Question 35

How do different systems affect party representation?

Answer 35

FPTP favors majorities; AMS/STV encourage coalitions and diversity.

Question 36

Which systems offer greater voter choice?

Answer 36

AMS, STV, and SV.

Question 37

What issue occurred in the 2007 Scottish elections?

Answer 37

146,000 ballots were incorrectly filled.

Question 38

Give one democratic benefit of elections.

Answer 38

They allow voters to hold governments accountable.

Question 39

Give one criticism of UK elections.

Answer 39

Majority governments can be elected with minority vote share.

Question 40

What is a referendum?

Answer 40

A vote on a single issue with a yes/no answer.

Question 41

Are UK national referendums legally binding?

Answer 41

No, but they are politically binding.

Question 42

What’s the role of the Electoral Commission in referendums?

Answer 42

Check wording, regulate campaigns, and report results.

Question 43

Give one advantage of referendums.

Answer 43

Encourage participation and education on key issues.

Question 44

Give one disadvantage of referendums.

Answer 44

Can cause social rifts and have weak mandates (e.g. Brexit).