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Systems Guide
STV: a step-by-step guide
Taken from the ERS leaflet: "What is STV?"
1. The ballot paper lists the names of the candidates from each party. Voters vote by putting a '1' next to the name of their favoured candidate, a '2' next to the name of their next favoured candidate and so on. They stop allocating preferences when they cannot decide between the candidates – they do not need to vote for them all.
2. At the count, the number of votes which candidates need in order to be elected (the 'quota') is calculated by dividing the total number of valid ballot papers by the number of people to be elected plus one. For example, with 100 valid ballot papers and three places to be filled, the quota would be 25.
3. The ballot papers are sorted into piles according to the first preferences – the '1's. If any candidate has more first-preference votes than the quota, they are immediately elected.
4. The next stage is to transfer any surplus votes for these elected candidates, i.e. the difference between their vote and the quota needed to be elected. To avoid the problem of deciding which of the votes are surplus, all ballot papers are transferred but at a reduced value so that the total adds up to the number of surplus votes.
5. After all the surpluses have been transferred, we look to see whether all the places to be elected have been filled. If they have not, then the candidate with the fewest votes is excluded and his or her votes are transferred to the voters' second preferences.
6. This process of transferring surpluses and excluding candidates continues until enough candidates have reached the quota to fill all the places to be elected.
Latest News
Getting Reduce and Equalise Right
Published: Sunday, September 5th 2010
The Electoral Reform Society has called on government and opposition to ensure that controversial legislation to create equal-sized constituencies delivers on its promises. The Society has urged both government and opposition to “act responsibly” and engage with the legislation to ensure that both boundary changes and the proposals for a referendum on the Alternative Vote survive. More...
Electoral Reform Society announces new Chief Executive
Published: Thursday, August 26th 2010
Katie Ghose has been appointed the new Chief Executive of the Electoral Reform Society. Katie Ghose has been director of the British Institute of Human Rights for 5 years. An experienced campaigner and barrister, she has previously held positions at Age Concern England (now Age UK) and Citizens Advice. More...
AV in practice: ERS response to Australian Election
Published: Sunday, August 22nd 2010
The Electoral Reform Society has released its initial findings on the latest Australian Federal Election. Australia’s House of Representatives is elected by the Alternative Vote (AV) system, which will be offered to the British public in a referendum next May. More...