How the System Works

Operation of STV

The number of votes required for a candidate to be elected (the quota) is calculated.

The count then progresses through as many stages as are required to elect candidates to the number of seats to be filled (either three or four).

Each stage does not always result in a candidate being elected.

For the first stage, the first preferences from each ballot paper are counted and candidates achieving the quota are elected.

If no candidate has achieved the quota, the candidate with the lowest number of votes is excluded.

Each of the next stages involves:

• The allocation of votes from the previous stage – either surplus votes from a candidate who has achieved the quota or votes from the candidate with the lowest number of votes who has been excluded. The allocation process transfers votes according to the voters’ next preferences
• The election of any candidate who has achieved the quota or, if none has achieved the quota, then the exclusion of the candidate with the lowest number of votes
  

At any stage, if the number of candidates elected plus those remaining is equal to the number of seats to be filled then the remaining candidates are elected (even though they may not have reached the quota).

Effect of STV

STV gives freedom of choice to electors with candidates elected in a way which reflects the proportion of votes cast for each candidate, and the order of preferences expressed by voters.

Nearly every vote is effective in helping to secure the election of a chosen candidate. It is expected that at least 80 per cent of votes will have a say in who gets elected, compared with typically up to 40 per cent in a 'first past the post' system where only one candidate is elected.

Nearly every elector has an equal effect on the result and is directly represented by someone whom that voter has helped to elect.

Your vote can count against any of the preferences for candidates you have made on your ballot paper. Voters should only make preferences for candidates who they are prepared to see elected.

Your vote can be 'split' and partially allocated to any of the preferences for candidates you have made on your ballot paper.

The portion of your vote that is transferred and to which candidates it is transferred can depend on the votes cast by other voters.

Download this Detailed Description of an STV Count (PDF, 95KB)