Unit 1: Single Transferable Vote explained

Stupid backing track, but a simple way of explaining a difficult electoral system.


Click here to access the 2007 results in Northern Ireland elections (using STV).

Single Transferable Vote System : Northern Ireland Elections other than to Westminster

• Country divided into multi-member constituencies with 3-5 members per constituency. Parties may put up as many candidates as there are seats.
• Voters  may rank all parties appearing on the ballot paper in order of preferences although in practice many will not rank all candidates
• Voters can choose within parties as well as between parties. For example an individual might rank anti-war candidates in two parties highly rather than ranking 4 candidates in one party highly.
• Seats are allocated using the Droop quota system in which the number of votes necessary to secure election is the total number of votes cast divided by the number of seats in the constituency +1 +1 additional vote.

• For example in a 4 member constituency where 10,000 people vote, a candidate requires the following:

(10,000/(4+1))+1 = 2,001 votes

At what point did I lose you Tash?? :-)

If a candidate gains an appropriate share of first preference votes s/he will be automatically elected.

• The second preference votes of this candidate are redistributed to other candidates and these second preference votes may enable another candidate to reach the quota in which case their second preference votes will be redistributed.
• Alternatively the bottom candidate is eliminated completely and their second preference votes are redistributed. The process continues until all constituency members have been elected.
• It is a time consuming process but can be aided by computer and it generates greater proportionality than FPTP which is seen as particularly important in the context of N. Ireland Politics.
• Northern Ireland Elections: Click here for BBC  Coverage