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WorksheetsElection systems
Total questions: 30
Worksheet time: 10mins
What kind of system is First Past The Post?
Majority
Plurality
Proportional
Hybrid
Which of these are functions of elections (2 answers)
Representation
Giving people something to do
Holding a government to account
For the public to dictate policy to the government
According to the Fixed Term Parliament Act, 2011 - When should elections be held in the UK
First Thursday of June every 5 years
First Thursday of May every 5 years
Whenever the PM decides
First Thursday of May every 4 years
Which of these are advantages to FPTP? (2 answers)
Lack of proportionality
Votes have an equal value
Speed and simplicity
Exclusion of extremists
Which of these are disadvantages to FPTP? (2 answers)
MPs and governments can be elected with less the 50% of the vote
It creates a strong link between MPs and their constituents
It is over complicated and causes confusion
It limits voter choice
Which elections use FPTP? (2 answers)
Scottish Parliament
Westminster Parliament
Local Councils in England and Wales
Greater London Assembly
What formula is used by both AMS and STV to calculate the amount of representation in a particular region
d'Hondt
d'Honda
d'Andre
d'Hont
Which of these are advantages to using AMS? (2 answers)
The top-up element makes the result more proportional
It lacks transparency making it difficult for voters to understand
It retains the strong link between voter and constituency
It encourages voters to split their vote
What does AMS stand for?
Additional Marker System
Abominable Man Syndrome
Abdul's Magic Socks
Additional Member System
What does FPTP stand for?
Fast Process To Politics
Final Past The Post
First Past The Post
First Person to Post
Which of these are disadvantages to AMS? (2 answers)
The top-up element lacks transparency and causes confusion
Smaller parties achieve less representation than they would under a fully proportional system
It widens the public's party choice
It encourages tactical voting
Where is AMS used? (2 answers)
Welsh Assembly
Westminster Parliament
Greater London Assembly
Scottish Local Elections
What does STV stand for?
Systematic Transfer Vote
Simple Traditional Vote
Single Transferable Vote
Savory Tart Vegan
Which of these are advantages of using STV? (2 answers)
It is fully proportional
There is a close correlation between votes and seats
It encourages strong, single party government
It increases voter choice
Which of these are disadvantages of using STV? (2 answers)
It encourages coalition and weak government
It weakens the link between voter and MP
It encourages power sharing that can help secure peace in conflict regions
It has a high proportion of wasted votes
Where is STV used? (2 answers)
Northern Ireland Assembly
Westminster Parliament
Local Elections in England and Wales
Local elections in Scotland
How many votes do you have in STV?
Two
One
As many as you like
204
How many votes do you have in AMS?
One
Two
As many as you like
1 967 456
What do we mean by the term proportional?
Most votes wins
Percentage of votes should roughly equal the percentage of seats
Number of votes should equal the number of seats
That the size of the MP should be in proportion to their representation in Parliament
What does the phrase "a simple plurality of votes" mean?
The result will be proportional
That there will only be one candidate
Most votes wins
A top-up is not required
What does SV stand for?
Single vote
Supplementary Vote
Subtle Vote
Simple Vote
Where is SV used?
Welsh Local Elections
Scottish Parliament
Mayoral Elections
Westminster Elections
Which of these are advantages for the use of SV? (2 answers)
It ensures a broad support for the winning candidate
It ensures that the winning candidate achieves a majority
It is proportional
It is simple and straightforward to use
What are the disadvantages of using SV? (2 answers)
It is not proportional
It encourages extremism
It discourages independent candidates from standing
The winner does not necessarily achieve an absolute majority
How many votes do you have in SV?
One
Two
As many as you like
42
What kind of system is AMS?
Plurality
Proportional
Hybrid
Majoritarian
What kind of system is SV
Plurality
Hybrid
Proportional
Majoritarian
What do we mean by the term "preference voting"?
The electorate has a number of votes, which they list in order of preference
The electorate vote for the Political Party they prefer
The electorate have one vote, this is then listed in order of preference
The electorate do not have to vote if they prefer not to
What do we mean by the term "redistributing votes"?
When Parties have the right to swap or exchange votes to ensure electoral success
When lower placed candidates are eliminated and their votes are redistributed to ensure a more proportional result
Where the constituency map is redrawn to ensure a fairer distribution of votes
When voters have multiple votes and can vote for any number of candidates
What do we mean by the term "tactical voting"?
You plan a grand strategy to make sure the Party of your choice stands a chance of winning
You trick someone into voting for a Party they did not want to
Your motivation to vote depends on the chances of your vote counting
You vote for the Party you dislike the least to prevent another Party from winning
