voting systems

Question 1

How does FPTP work?

Answer 1

• Voters select one candidate
• the candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins
• (plurality system).

Question 2

What type of government does FPTP usually produce?

Answer 2

Single-party majority governments.

Question 3

What are two main advantages of FPTP?

Answer 3

• Strong constituency link
• typically produces stable governments.
• simple
• prevents extremist parties

Question 4

What are two main criticisms of FPTP?

Answer 4

• Disproportional outcomes
• many wasted votes.
• safe seats decrease turnout

Question 5

Give an example of an unfair FPTP outcome.

Answer 5

• 2015
• UKIP won 12.6% of votes but only 1 seat.

Question 6

How does FPTP affect smaller parties?

Answer 6

Underrepresents them due to concentration of votes.

Question 7

How does AMS work?

Answer 7

• A hybrid
• voters cast two votes
• one for a constituency candidate (FPTP) and one for a party list (PR).

Question 8

Where is AMS used?

Answer 8

Scottish Parliament, Welsh Senedd, and London Assembly.

Question 9

What are the benefits of AMS over FPTP?

Answer 9

• More proportional representation
• smaller parties fare better.

Question 10

What are the drawbacks of AMS?

Answer 10

• complex
• more likely for a coalition government
• not entirely proportional

Question 11

What type of government does AMS often produce?

Answer 11

Minority or coalition governments.

Question 12

How does STV work?

Answer 12

• Voters rank candidates in order
• candidates must meet a quota.
• Surplus votes and eliminations are redistributed.

Question 13

Where is STV used in the UK?

Answer 13

• Northern Ireland Assembly

Question 14

What are the strengths of STV?

Answer 14

• Highly proportional
• fewer wasted votes
• voter choice is maximised.

Question 15

What are weaknesses of STV?

Answer 15

• Complex counting
• weak constituency link
• often produces coalitions.

Question 16

Why is STV used in Northern Ireland?

Answer 16

To promote power-sharing and cross-community representation.

Question 17

Which system has the strongest constituency link?

Answer 17

FPTP.

Question 18

Which system gives the most proportional result?

Answer 18

STV.

Question 19

Which system balances proportionality and strong representation?

Answer 19

AMS.

Question 20

What are the main criteria to evaluate electoral systems?

Answer 20

• Representation
• fairness
• government effectiveness
• voter choice
• accountability.

Question 21

How did FPTP affect the 2019 election result?

Answer 21

Gave Conservatives 365 seats (56%) with only 43.6% of the vote.