List System

List System

1. How does it work?

   • Open List
     • Voters free to choose between voting for an individual candidate or simply voting for their favourite party
   • Closed Regional Party List
     • The UK is divided into 12 large multi-member constituencies
       • Elect 3-10 members (depending on size) with 72 in total being elected
     • Parties compile lists of candidates for the constituency in descending order of preference
       • Voters only choose between parties
         • Parties are allocated seats in direct proportion to the votes they gain in each constituency
         • Voters have advance knowledge of each party's rank order of candidates
       • Candidates placed towards the top of their party's list stand a better chance of being elected

2. Advantages

   • Only "pure" proportional system
   • Makes it easier for minority candidates to be elected (as long as they feature towards the top of the list)
   • Greater number of parties are able to win seats
   • Fairer voting
   • Fewer wasted votes

3. Disadvantages

   • Representation for many small parties can lead to weak and unstable government
   • Link between representatives and constituencies is significantly weaker
   • Gives more power to parties (rather than the electorate) as they decide where candidates are placed on the party list

4. Proportional Representation

5. Where is it used?

   • Closed - UK elections to European Parliament