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October 06, 2006
Myth 2: Proportional representation systems are too complicated
At first glance, arguing that systems such as STV should be rejected because not everyone understands concepts of voting beyond placing one X next to one candidate seems a bit mean towards the electorate.
However, as what evidence there is indicates that more ballots are spoiled in non-FPTP elections, especially where two different types of system are being used on the same day, the point does warrant some consideration.
Even in Ireland, where they've been using STV since the 1920s (to the delight of the voters, and the annoyance of the politicians), a greater percentage of voters fill in their ballots incorrectly than voters in Westminster elections do. Nonetheless, there is only so much that should be made of this point.
Firstly, the number of ballots spoiled by technical errors is still very small. Secondly, instructions on ballot papers are easy to follow. If you're told to place a '1' by your first-preference candidate, a '2' by your second and so on, it's not the fault of the electoral system if you get it wrong.
However many times complex-sounding things like the 'Droop quota' and the 'D'Hondt formula' are thrown out by detractors to suggest how only people with Maths degrees know what they're doing at the ballot box, it doesn't make any difference to the fact that if you can list five things in order of preference, you can understand your role in an STV election. To suggest otherwise is to suggest that if you don't understand the intricate workings of an internal combustion engine, you are incapable of making a car move.
All voters in STV elections need to know is that casting a vote for their preferred candidate and/or party broadly helps determine final representation in national decision-making. You can’t say that about FPTP.
Finally, in some ways, voting in an STV election is actually simpler than voting in a FPTP election. In an STV election, you rank your choices, safe in the knowledge that you won't be accidentally helping one of the candidates you really dislike. In a FPTP election, you cannot guarantee this, which is why so many people vote 'tactically', i.e. not for their favourite candidate, but for the one with the best chance of keeping out a candidate they dislike.
Posted by pauldavies on October 06, 2006
