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Understanding Elections

A simulator to aid in the teaching of electoral vote counting and constituency configuration.

Challenge 1:

Get familiar with the tool and learn about the differences between First Past the Post and PR-STV.

For this challenge, simplify it by selecting multi-seat only and leaving the constituency boundaries as they are. Focus on exploring the differences between vote counting methods.

For hints, tips etc. take a look at your team Jam Board.

Step 1: Select constituency configuration ⓘ

A single seat constituency is an electoral area electing only one representative to office. A multi-seat constituency is an electoral area electing multiple representatives to office. The number of seats for a constituency generally relates to the number of voters in that area and the total available seats.

Multi-seat Single-seat

Step 2: Manipulate constituency boundaries using the large grey circles below ⓘ

Gerrymandering is a practice intended to establish an unfair political advantage for a particular party or group by manipulating constituency boundaries. Try it out by dragging the large grey circles below to change the constituency boundaries.

Step 3: Select vote counting method ⓘ

Try running your election with each of the electoral system methods below and see which helps you get your desired result

First Past the Post: The first past the post system in single-seat constituencies is the second most popular voting system in the world. It’s used in the UK, US, India and Canada. The candidate with the most votes in each constituency becomes an MP. All other votes are disregarded. This type of voting is also known as single member plurality, simple majority voting or plurality voting.

PR-STV: In Ireland, all elections – Dáil, Seanad, presidential, European and local elections – are decided through proportional representation with a single transferable vote (PR-STV).Voters indicate their first and subsequent choices for the candidates on the ballot paper by marking the relevant number in the box beside a person’s name. You indicate your first choice by writing ’1′ opposite that candidate and ’2′ opposite your second choice, and so on.By doing so, you are instructing that your vote be transferred to your second preference if your first choice is either elected with a surplus of votes over the quota or is eliminated. If your second choice is elected or eliminated, your vote may be transferred to your third choice, and so on.

First Past the Post PR Single Transferable Vote

Understanding Elections

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