Single Transferable VoteSingle Transferable Vote

Multi Member Constituencies OnlyMulti Member Constituencies Only

Voting is Preferential meaning voters indicate Voting is Preferential meaning voters indicate preference by numbers, In order of their favourite preference by numbers, In order of their favourite i.e. 1 beside their first candidate 2 beside their i.e. 1 beside their first candidate 2 beside their second and so onsecond and so on

Voting is ordinal: voters can vote for every candidate Voting is ordinal: voters can vote for every candidate that they likethat they like

Candidate Must achieve Droop Quota In Order to be Candidate Must achieve Droop Quota In Order to be electedelected

If a Candidate has already filled droop quota then If a Candidate has already filled droop quota then those persons who voted for that candidate will have those persons who voted for that candidate will have their votes redistributed to their next choice their votes redistributed to their next choice candidatecandidate

Droop Quota calculated as follows:Droop Quota calculated as follows:

If no candidate makes quota on first count of votes, If no candidate makes quota on first count of votes, lowest candidate is eliminated and second preference is lowest candidate is eliminated and second preference is transferredtransferred

Elimination and redistribution continues until requisite Elimination and redistribution continues until requisite number of seats are filled by candidates meeting quotanumber of seats are filled by candidates meeting quota

Stv is used in local and European parliament elections, Stv is used in local and European parliament elections, in Northern Ireland local elections, plus general elections in Northern Ireland local elections, plus general elections in the republic of Irelandin the republic of Ireland

Advantages of STVAdvantages of STV

Broadly proportional and ensures votes are Broadly proportional and ensures votes are largely of equal valuelargely of equal valueOnly Party/ Coalition of parties that wins more Only Party/ Coalition of parties that wins more than 50% can form a government than 50% can form a government Choice from a range of candidatesChoice from a range of candidates

Disadvantages of STVDisadvantages of STV

Breaks links between MPs and Breaks links between MPs and constituenciesconstituencies

Produces Coalition governments giving Produces Coalition governments giving Disproportional power to minor partiesDisproportional power to minor parties

Less accurate translating votes to seatsLess accurate translating votes to seats

SummarySummary

Votes selected from a range of candidates in their order Votes selected from a range of candidates in their order of preference of preference

A candidate must achieve a quota of votes (droop quota)A candidate must achieve a quota of votes (droop quota)

Any excess votes are redistributed according to 2Any excess votes are redistributed according to 2ndnd preferencepreference

If candidate to reach quota, lowest place candidate is If candidate to reach quota, lowest place candidate is eliminated and 2eliminated and 2ndnd preference of his or her voters are preference of his or her voters are transferred transferred

Process of elimination continues until required number of Process of elimination continues until required number of candidates meets quotacandidates meets quota

Is STV better than FPTP?Is STV better than FPTP?

Stv is more democratic but is far more complicated than Stv is more democratic but is far more complicated than first past the postfirst past the post

STV gives minor parties more political power, but STV gives minor parties more political power, but sometimes too much-Disproportional powersometimes too much-Disproportional power

STV Produces Coalition governments which aren't STV Produces Coalition governments which aren't particularly strong and are built on compromiseparticularly strong and are built on compromise

FPTP is easier for the average voter to understand and FPTP is easier for the average voter to understand and produces a clear winner and a stronger governmentproduces a clear winner and a stronger government

In theory Stv is more democratic and sounds fairer but in In theory Stv is more democratic and sounds fairer but in practice we feel FPTP is superiorpractice we feel FPTP is superior