Alternative Vote

Alternative Vote

1. How it works

   • Single- member constituencies
   • They have to achieve a majority of the votes cast.
   • Voters indicate their preferences
   • If no candidate secures an absolute majority of 1st preferences the lowest is eliminated and the 2nd preference are transferred to the remaining candidates

2. Where it is used

   • Scottish by-elections
   • Labour party leadership elections
   • by-elections for hereditary peers

3. Advantages

   • It ensures that fewer votes are 'wasted' as votes for the minor candidates are taken into account
   • A winning candidate needs at least 50% of support
   • The winning candidate has a bigger mandate

4. Disadvantages

   • The outcome of the election may be determined by the preferences of those who support extremist parties
   • Winning candidate may enjoy little first- preference support and only succeed with the help of redistributed supplementary votes, making them only the least unpopular candidate
   • AV is less understood so may lower legitimacy as people may not vote
   • Takes longer to count
   • More opportunity for donkey voting