Changes

The population of the constituency determines how many seats in the legislature are available (in Ireland, 2, 3, 4 or 5) and a 'quota' is set, which is the target number of 'No.1' votes a candidate must reach to be elected. Once a candidate reaches the quota, his/her surplus No.1 votes are redistributed according to the preferences expressed on the ballot papers. This process is repeated until all the available seats are filled. Candidates who are found to be mathematically incapable of reaching the quota during each redistribution are eliminated.

The population of the constituency determines how many seats in the legislature are available (in Ireland, 2, 3, 4 or 5) and a 'quota' is set, which is the target number of 'No.1' votes a candidate must reach to be elected. Once a candidate reaches the quota, his/her surplus No.1 votes are redistributed according to the preferences expressed on the ballot papers. This process is repeated until all the available seats are filled. Candidates who are found to be mathematically incapable of reaching the quota during each redistribution are eliminated.

Parties attempt to use this system to maximise their representation in each constituency - bigger parties run several candidates in each constituency, and a 'superstar' candidate who knows s/he'll get large support will encourage her/his supporters to give their second, third etc preference to colleagues on the party ticket. For example, this contributor's constituency, the 5-seat Dublin South East, is represented in the following way: 2 Fianna Fáil, 1 Fine Gael, 1 Labour and 1 Sinn Féin.

Parties attempt to use this system to maximise their representation in each constituency - bigger parties run several candidates in each constituency, and a 'superstar' candidate who knows s/he'll get large support will encourage her/his supporters to give their second, third etc preference to colleagues on the party ticket. For example, this contributor's constituency, the 5-seat Dublin South Central, is represented in the following way: 2 Fianna Fáil, 1 Fine Gael, 1 Labour and 1 Sinn Féin.

This system also allows minority parties and Independent candidates to achieve election, as voters can rate candidates according to the issues they support.

This system also allows minority parties and Independent candidates to achieve election, as voters can rate candidates according to the issues they support.

STV is used in [[Ireland]] and [[Australia]].

STV is used in [[Ireland]] and [[Australia]].