WITH the Scottish local elections coming up on May 5, it is worth having a look at the Single Transferrable Vote system (STV) which will be used to decide your next councillors.
Compared to the first-past-the-post system (FPTP) used in UK General Elections and the Additional Member List system used in Holyrood, STV is relatively complex.
With that in mind, here’s our handy explainer to the STV system.
How does STV work?
Instead of electing one representative for each area, voters pool together to elect a small team of councillors to represent a ward.
Voters rank the candidates in order of preference. They put a 1 next to their preferred candidate, a 2 next to their second, a 3 by their third, and so on. Voters do not need to number all the candidates. They can number as many or as few as they like.
How are votes counted?
To win, a candidate must reach a pre-set quota. This is initially done by counting the first preference votes. If no one reaches the required quota level, the candidate with the least votes is eliminated and their votes are redistributed to the second preference of the people that voted for them. If a candidate subsequently reaches the pre-set quota then they are elected as a councillor.
Any 'surplus' votes a candidate receives above the pre-set quote are then redistributed among the other candidates based on voters' second choices. This process is repeated until all posts are filled.
What are the advantages of STV?
- Many campaigners say this is the closest to true proportional representation of any voting system currently in use and has previously been advocated for by the Electoral Reform Society.
- It also offers voters a wider range of choice, allowing them to select candidates from different parties.
- As all votes affect the final outcome, unlike in certain instances in FPTP, there is no need for tactical voting and voters are free to choose candidates they like most rather than for those who stand the best chance of beating their least favourite.
- The system works so that it is less likely to completely control a council which encourages a consensual style of politics.
What are the disadvantages of STV?
- The system is relatively more complex than other systems which may confuse or deter voter participation.
- Due to the increased likelihood of coalitions, decision-making within councils may be made harder.
What do you think about STV? Let us know in the comments below.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel