1. Lesson 4: The Single Transferable Vote (STV)
The Single Transferable Vote (STV) electoral system was used for the first time in 2007 to elect Scottish local government representatives (or councillors) to each of the country’s 32 councils. Before 2007, councillors had been elected using the FPTP electoral system.
Local Council elections under STV:
2007
2011
2017

2. The way in which the Single Transferable Vote (STV) electoral system works
Elections using the Single Transferable Vote (STV) involve multi-member constituencies (wards) each of which have three or four councillors.
In each ward, voters will be asked to rank the
candidates from 1 (most favoured) to 5 (least favoured).
Once all the votes are cast, a mathematical formula is applied to the vote to select the five most popular candidates. Bitesize STV Clip
The key point to note is that in order to be elected as a local councillor all the candidates must reach a QUOTA of votes, based on the population of the area.

3. The key point to note is that in order to be elected as a local councillor all the candidates must reach a QUOTA of votes, based on the population of the area.
What you are saying is: "I want to vote for candidate A. If the situation arises where A does not need my vote because he/she has already been elected from the count, I want my vote to go to candidate B."
Describe, briefly, how the STV system works. Imagine you were explaining it to an 10 year old!

4. COUNCIL
WARDS
QUOTA
PREFERENCE
POPULATION
MULTI-MEMBER
PROPORTIONAL
Describe, briefly, how the STV system works. Imagine you were explaining it to an 10 year old!

5. St Joseph's Academy lies within the Kilmarnock East and Hurlford ward.
The Single Transferable Vote is a form of proportional representation and is the system preferred by the Liberal Democrats for choosing representatives.

6. Representation through STV - Pro
MORE VOTER CHOICE
Under FPTP if a voter wants to vote Labour there is only ONE candidate.
STV will have more than one candidate from a party on the ballot paper keeping elected politicians on their toes! Also there are no more SAFE SEATS as a voter can vote for another candidate in the party!

7. Representation through STV - Pro
MORE THAN ANY OTHER SYSTEM Gives freedom of choice to the electorate
Less votes are wasted ALL count! This makes it fairer for smaller parties.
Results more proportionate to the votes cast – in 1999 Labour won 46% of council votes but 94% of the seats under FPTP.
In 2017, across Scotland Labour gained 20.2% of votes and gained 21.4% of council seats avaliable.

8. Representation through STV - Pro
Voters can choose different parties and can select on other factors, not just party affiliation.
Could select women and Ethnics from different parties. Thus local councils are more representative.

9. Participation through STV- Pro
Retains link with constituency, as it is not the parties choice of candidates unlike the AMS Regional vote!
No need for tactical voting – voters can cast a positive vote and know it will not be wasted.

10. Representation - Con
Coalitions or NOCs* are likely to occur. This can lead to compromise politics.
The 2017 election means for the first time all 32 councils across Scotland have No Over Control from a political party.

11. Representation - Con
Coalitions create unrepresentative “kingmakers”. Parties with a low % may become leaders in an area due to STV and coalition needs.
Having multi-member wards can confuse voters. Who is the true representative and where do the people go for help? Who shall take blame?

12. STV offers better representation and participation than FPTP/AMS.
Case A – Yes it does
All votes count so less wasted - surplus carried over unlike FPTP many votes wasted.
Stops tactical voting as all votes count unlike FPTP.
Fairer - More proportionate to actual votes compared to FPTP. And SAFE SEATS eliminated, less lazy politicians.
Case B- No it does not
Coalitions, kingmakers, NOC and problems become likely due to smaller parties gaining seats- not common under FPTP.
Party divisions due to multiple candidates from the same party standing.
Also who is the “fall guy” when things go wrong? Who do you go to?

13. Strengths of the STV electoral system
Highly proportional.
No votes are wasted. No need for tactical voting.
Voters can select best party candidate and not parties as under AMS.
Has ended one party control of most councils except Glasgow and N. Lanarkshire.
There are no safe seats under STV, meaning candidates cannot be complacent and parties must campaign everywhere, and not just in marginal seats
For more information on the different electoral systems used in the UK visit

14. Weaknesses of the STV electoral system
As with all forms of PR will almost certainly result in coalition politics. For a while Dundee City Council was run as a coalition between Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives. However, after a by-election, which the SNP won, the council became a minority SNP-led administration.
2. More complex, harder for voters to understand (and pupils of Modern Studies!); several representatives may be confusing and breaks the single representative-voter link.
3. STV is not as proportional an electoral system as the Party List System or AMS although it is better than FPTP.
For more information on the different electoral systems used in the UK visit

15. The Single Transferable Vote Electoral System
Questions
Give three strengths of the Single Transferable Vote electoral system Provide at least two statistical examples to improve your answer.
Give three weaknesses of the Single Transferable Vote electoral system. Provide at least two statistical examples to improve your answer.