Why Is It So Difficult
To Compare UK & USA Elections:
- There is no UK equivalent to a US Presidential election. UK elections are for the national legislature (HOCs) whilst the US General Election is the election of the POTUS.
Different Voting
Systems In The USA And The UK.
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USA:
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FPTP in local, national and
federal state systems with one-member constituency
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PR In The Northeast for
city elections.
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UK:
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FPTP: HOC, local elections
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AMS: Scottish Parliament,
Welsh Assembly, Greater London Assembly
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STV: NI Assembly, local
elections in Scotland and NI
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AV: Local by-elections in
Scotland
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SV: London mayoral
elections
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Why
Do Voting Systems Matter:
- They have an effect on party systems
- Clearly affect the make up of legislatures especially in terms of gender, political and ethnic representation
- Might affect the way legislators behave in office
- Single member constituency enhance the link between legislators and constituents
- Could have a knock-on effect on government formation.
Daniele
Caramnai’s Quote:
- “There is no denying that electoral systems can make a significant difference to a country’s politics. By making a country’s system more (or less) proportional by raising (or lowering) the threshold of representation, by giving voters greater (or less) power to exercise choice among one party’s candidates, we know what consequences are likely to follow”
Possible
Reforms Of The Electoral College:
- Direct Election: In 2016 it was just the 2nd time in five elections that the White House was awarded to someone who had lost the popular vote. This made more want to ditch the EC however by removing it there would be more candidates which would mean that the POTUS would be likely to be elected without a majority over 50%. And this requires a Constitutional amendment.
- Congressional District System: In Maine & Nebraska one EC vote is given for each Congressional District (how HOR members are elected) to the winner and two to the Congressional District. This is however more confusing in an American society where many do not understand the current system. It is also not proportional and some argue that it makes little difference to who is actually elected as POTUS
- Proportional System: Allocate each EC vote in each state proportional to the popular vote then there would be a more equal amounts of EC votes. This would render the electors unnecessary as the result is determined by maths. This would be fairer to the 3rd parties but no one would get a clear majority above 50%, doing this would also throw the election into Congress.