Learn the 12 voting systems, from First Past the Post to Single Transferable Vote, and how they shape elections worldwide.
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Voting is one of the most critical acts in any democracy when choosing leaders.
However, not all voting systems are created equal.
There are 12 different types of voting systems, each with its own rules, methods, and outcomes.
This guide will help you navigate the complexities of your country’s system, whether you are curious about how it works or want to understand its variety.
We will break down each system in an easy-to-understand, relatable, and informative way.
1. First Past the Post (FPTP)
First Past the Post is the most well-known voting system in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
The concept is simple: the candidate with the most votes wins.
This system works best when there are two major political parties but can lead to disproportionate results when more candidates are involved.
Example: In the 2019 UK General Election, the Conservative Party won a significant majority in parliament despite only receiving around 43.6% of the total vote.
Pros: It is simple, easy to understand, and quick to tally results.
Cons: It can result in “wasted” votes, and candidates can win without an absolute majority.
2. Supplementary Vote (SV)
The Supplementary Vote system slightly modifies FPTP, allowing voters to select a first and second choice.
If no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote, all but the top two candidates are eliminated, and the second-choice votes are redistributed.
Example: This system is used in some mayoral elections in the UK.
Pros: It helps avoid “vote splitting” and gives voters a second chance to have their vote counted.
Cons: It still does not guarantee proportional representation.
3. Single Transferable Vote (STV)
STV is a more complex system that allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference.
Candidates must reach a certain quota of votes to win, and votes are transferred according to preferences until all seats are filled.
Example: Ireland and Malta use this system for their parliamentary elections.
Pros: It is a proportional system that ensures fewer wasted votes and gives more power to voters.
Cons: The counting process is complex and can be time-consuming.
4. Additional Member System (AMS)
This system is a combination of FPTP and proportional representation. Voters cast two votes: one for a candidate and one for a party.
The candidates are elected via FPTP, while party votes are used to allocate additional seats.
Example: Scotland and Wales use AMS in their parliamentary elections.
Pros: It balances constituency representation with proportional outcomes.
Cons: It can be confusing, and smaller parties may still be underrepresented.
5. Closed Party List System
In this system, voters vote for a party rather than individual candidates.
The party then assigns seats to its members based on the proportion of votes it receives.
Example: Israel and South Africa use the Closed Party List System.
Pros: It is simple and ensures proportional representation for parties.
Cons: Voters have no say in which individuals represent them.
6. Open Party List System
Like the closed system, voters can also choose which candidates from the party list they prefer, giving them more control over individual representation.
Example: This system is used in Sweden and Finland.
Pros: It gives voters more flexibility while maintaining party representation.
Cons: It cannot be obvious, as voters need to choose both a party and a candidate.
7. Alternative Vote (AV)
Also known as Instant Runoff Voting, AV lets voters rank candidates in order of preference.
If no candidate gets more than 50% of the votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed until one candidate wins a majority.
Example: Australia uses AV for its House of Representatives.
Pros: It eliminates “wasted” votes and ensures the winner has majority support.
Cons: It can be complicated for voters to understand.
8. Alternative Vote Plus (AV+)
AV+ is a combination of the Alternative Vote and the Additional Member System.
Voters rank candidates, but a second vote is cast for a party to ensure proportionality.
Example: Though proposed in the UK, this system has yet to be widely implemented.
Pros: It combines the strengths of AV and AMS.
Cons: It can be complex and time-consuming to count votes.
9. Block Vote
In this system, voters have as many votes as seats available, but they must cast all their votes simultaneously.
The candidates with the most votes win the seats.
Example: This system is used in some local elections in the United Arab Emirates.
Pros: It is straightforward to administer.
Cons: It often leads to disproportionate results, with one party winning all the seats.
10. Borda Count
The Borda Count assigns points based on candidates’ rankings.
Voters rank candidates, and each position gives a candidate a certain number of points.
The candidate with the most points wins.
Example: This system is rarely used for governmental elections but is common in sports or organizational voting.
Pros: It ensures that the least disliked candidate wins.
Cons: It is vulnerable to strategic voting.
11. The Limited Vote
In this system, voters have fewer votes than available seats, allowing for more proportional outcomes.
Example: Spain uses this system in some local elections.
Pros: It allows for minority representation in multi-member constituencies.
Cons: It can still lead to one party dominating the results.
12. Two-Round System (TRS)
In the Two-Round System, if no candidate wins a majority in the first round, a second round is held between the top two candidates.
Example: This system is used in France for presidential elections.
Pros: It ensures that the winner has a majority.
Cons: It can be costly and time-consuming to hold a second round.
How to Engage with Voting Systems
As you can see, the world of voting systems is varied and complex.
Engaging with them is essential to understanding how a voting system can genuinely impact election outcomes.
Here are some tips:
- Watch educational videos: Many online platforms have simple videos explaining these systems. Watching them can help clarify confusing concepts.
- Use diagrams: Create mind maps or visual aids to help retain the information.
- Discuss with friends: Teaching others is a great way to reinforce understanding. Try explaining your chosen voting system to a friend or family member.
- Research real-world applications: Understanding which countries use which systems and how those systems have impacted governance can give valuable insight into their practical effects.
Conclusion
Voting systems are the backbone of any democracy, shaping how power is distributed and which voices are heard.
Whether you are voting in a local election or curious about global practices, knowing how different systems work can help you make informed decisions.
Take the time to explore and understand them—it is one of the best ways to engage with your civic duty.
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