Content deleted Content added
→Voting: multi winner examples |
→Issues: started section of arguments for |
||
Line 373:
==== Voter turnout ====
[[Political apathy]] is prevalent in plurality voting systems such as [[First-past-the-post voting|FPTP]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last1=Kwiatkowska |first1=Agnieszka |last2=Cześnik |first2=Mikołaj |date=2020-12-16 |title=Electoral System, Political Knowledge and Voter Turnout— Complex Liaisons |url=https://polish-sociological-review.eu/Electoral-System-Political-Knowledge-and-Voter-Turnout-nComplex-Liaisons,131723,0,2.html |journal=Polish Sociological Review |language=english |volume=212 |issue=4 |pages=425–444 |doi=10.26412/psr212.03 |issn=1231-1413}}</ref> Studies suggest that plurality voting system fails to incentivize citizens to vote, which results in very low [[voter turnout]]s.<ref name=":3" /> Under this system, many people feel that voting is an empty ritual that has no influence on the composition of legislature.<ref name=":2" /> Voters are not assured that the number of seats that political parties are accorded will reflect the popular vote, which disincentivizes them from voting and sends the message that their votes are not valued, and participation in elections does not seem necessary.<ref name=":3" />
==== Spoiled ballots ====
{{Expand section|date=April 2024}}
===Issues specific to particular countries===
Line 378 ⟶ 381:
In August 2008, Sir [[Peter Kenilorea]] commented on what he perceived as the flaws of a first-past-the-post electoral system in the [[Solomon Islands]]:
{{Blockquote|''An... underlying cause of political instability and poor governance, in my opinion, is our electoral system and its related problems. It has been identified by a number of academics and practitioners that the First Past the Post system is such that a Member elected to Parliament is sometimes elected by a small percentage of voters where there are many candidates in a particular constituency. I believe that this system is part of the reason why voters ignore political parties and why candidates try an appeal to voters' material desires and relationships instead of political parties.... Moreover, this system creates a political environment where a Member is elected by a relatively small number of voters with the effect that this Member is then expected to ignore his party's philosophy and instead look after that core base of voters in terms of their material needs. Another relevant factor that I see in relation to the electoral system is the proven fact that it is rather conducive, and thus has not prevented, corrupt elections practices such as ballot buying.''|author=[http://solomonstarnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3184&change=103&changeown=89&Itemid=45 "Realising political stability"], Sir Peter Kenilorea, ''Solomon Star'', 30 August 2008}}
=== Arguments for plurality voting ===
{{Expand section|date=April 2024}}
Notwithstanding all the above mentioned issues with plurality-based voting systems, they are still commonly used in English-speaking countries even for high offices. For less consequential elections, it is even more common that organizations are set up to use plurality voting. Many legally recognized entities, such as companies, statutes may require majority voting, [[Supermajority|supermajorities]] or [[Consensus decision-making|consensus]] for decisions on certain issues{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}. In the absence of such requirements, plurality voting is often the default option for a number of reasons.
==== Simplicity and familiarity ====
Plurality voting is generally considered one of the simplest methods and of the most widely known. Because of it's widespread use, in situations where people become voters, it will not be a new concept for most and may even be expected. Other systems may specifically need to be explained to the voters and may be perceived as more complicated.
Widespread familiarity with the system does not imply widespread familiarity with the effects. Voters may not be aware of the issues in plurality voting, therefore they may vote sincerely even in situations where voting theory would suggest they should vote tactically, thereby voting against their rational interests. {{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}
Another counter-argument is that plurality voting is partially considered simple because of it's familiarity, which in turn results from its prevalence. Such argument is made by proponents of another plurality-based system, approval voting, where unlike usual plurality voting, voters may vote for any amount of candidates. If approval voting is default, plurality voting (where voters only cast one otherwise fixed amount of votes) would be seen at least equally unfamiliar to voters.
==== Ease of balloting ====
Under plurality voting, ballots use simple marks instead of ranking or scoring, which can make especially paper-based ballots simpler.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}} However, non-plurality systems such as [[closed list]] PR may also use just as simple ballots.
In cases without ballots, such as open voting by raised hands, for example, there are simpler methods that don't require checking for people who voted more than they are allowed to, for example, [[approval voting]].
==== Ease of counting ====
With plurality voting, counting and summing up votes is generally an easy process, and this may be done on a precinct level and then summed up for a total with the same results. Some alternative methods, such as [[Instant-runoff voting|instant-runoff-voting]] don't work this way and either counting has to take place centrally, or complete (non-aggregated) results from precincts need to be submitted to the central authority for results.
== Voting system attributes and comparison to non-plurality systems ==
| |||