The Electoral System Flashcards
(28 cards)
What is a General Election?
When all 650 MPs resign to contest their seats
What is a By-election?
An election in a single constituency caused by the death or resignation of an MP
What did the 2010 Coalition Government introduce regarding Parliaments?
Fixed-term Parliaments of five years
What can trigger an election under the fixed-term parliament system?
A vote of no confidence in the government or a vote by two thirds of the House of Commons
What happened to the fixed term parliament act?
It was repealed by the previous Conservative government
Who can vote in national elections?
British, Irish, Commonwealth citizens normally resident in the UK, must be 18+, must be on the Electoral Register
Who cannot vote in national elections?
- Peers sitting in the House of Lords
- Foreigners (including EU citizens)
- Patients detained under the mental health act for crimes
- Convicted prisoners
- People convicted of corrupt election practices
- The King and heirs
What are the eligibility requirements to stand in national elections?
Must be 18+, must be a British, Irish or Commonwealth citizen normally resident in the UK
Who cannot stand in national elections?
- Peers
- Undischarged bankrupts
- Patients convicted of crimes under the mental health act
- Prisoners serving more than one year in jail
- People convicted of corrupt election practices
- Senior civil servants
- Police officers
- Members of the armed forces
- Judges
What is Plurality Voting also known as?
First Past the Post (FPTP)
How is a general election decided under FPTP?
The candidate with the most votes is elected
What is a hung parliament?
When no party gets 326 seats
What options does a hung parliament have?
- Govern as a minority administration
- Enter into a confidence and supply agreement
- Form a formal coalition with other parties
Why is FPTP seen as unfair?
It does not distribute seats based on the proportion of votes cast
What is the Single Transferable Vote (STV)?
Voters mark candidates in order of preference in multi-member constituencies
What is a Party List system?
Parties list their chosen candidates in order of priority and voters vote for that party
What happens in the Alternative Vote system?
If a candidate has more than 50% of votes, they are elected; otherwise, the candidate with the least votes is eliminated and votes redistributed
What is the Supplementary Vote?
If no candidate gets a majority, all but the top two candidates are eliminated and votes redistributed
What is the Additional Member System (AMS)?
A hybrid system where some candidates are elected by FPTP and second votes are used to top up from regional lists
What is required for candidates to pay to participate in elections?
A £500 deposit, lost if fewer than 5% of votes cast
What is the role of the Electoral Commission?
Oversees spending in elections
When do elections always take place?
On Thursdays
What is the deadline for polls to close?
10pm
What can candidates demand if the vote is close?
A recount
