STV (Single Transferrable Vote)

Since the topic came up in class, here is a closer view at the single transferrable vote!

• It is a voting system based on proportional representation (which we covered in class) and preferential voting as well.
• Votes are initially allocated to the most preferred candidate. After a candidate has been elected or eliminated, the unused votes are transferred according to the preferences stated by the voter
• A "pro" for this system is that it eliminates wasted votes
• This is achieved by using multi-seat constituencies (we all know what that word means!)
• Votes are transferred to eligibile candidates. Without STV, those votes would be wasted on sure losers or winners.

Example: In a constitunency that has many voters who vote Conservative, a voter who votes Green will not lose his/her vote. That vote will be transferred to help another Green candidate. Otherwise, the vote will be wasted because the Conservatives will have the clear majority regardless.


How does this relate to us?
In BC, STV was recommended for provincial elections by the BC Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform.

But why haven't I seen or heard about it since?

Well, in the 2005 referendum, it received 57.69% support and passed in 77 of 79 electoral districts.

That sounds like enough, but was it?

No. The Liberal government set a 60% requirement.

That's it?

Not quite. There was a second referendum in May of 2009. You may have seen advertising or heard about it during that time. It was defeated again, 60.91% to 39.09%. Read more about that here:
second referendum on May 12th 2009


Today, forms of STV are used in Australia, Iceland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and many others!

So what do you guys think? Was STV a good idea or not? Would you have voted for it if you were eligibile to vote?

That's all for now, see you in class!

Ilanna