Additional Member system

Additional Member system

1. How it works

   • Mixture of FPTP and the list
   • Each voter has two votes, one for constituency representative and one for a regional party list
   • A proportion of seats are filled by FPTP. The remaining seats are filled using 'closed' party list system. Tops up

2. Where it is used

   • The Welsh assembly

3. Advantages

   • The mixed characteristics of this system balances the need for constituency representation against the need for electoral fairness
   • Although the system is broadly proportional in terms of it outcomes, it keeps alive the possibility of single party government
   • It allows voters to make wider and more considered choices. For example they can vote for different parties in the constituency and list elections

4. Disadvantage

   • The retention of single member constituencies reduces the likelihood of high levels of proportionality
   • The system creates confusion by having two classes of representation
   • Constituency representation will be less effective than it is FPTP because of the larger size of constituencies and because a proportion have no constituency