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 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 system is known as 'Proportional Representation with the Single Transferrable Vote' or PR-STV.

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 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 system is known as 'Proportional Representation with the Single Transferrable Vote' or PR-STV.

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 Deputy.

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.

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.

The advantage for voters is that they are not required to make an 'either-or' choice between candidates.

The advantage for voters is that they are not required to make an 'either-or' choice between candidates.

Single-party government is highly unlikely in Ireland.

Single-party government is highly unlikely in Ireland.