Two Round Voting System

[Desperado †]

I was wondering how this voting system would fare as the system for the British General Elections. I think it's far better than the first past the post system we have now seeing as it gives the individual more of a vote, and would stop 'wasted' votes (e.g, I know many people who wont vote Lib Dems simply because they feel they'd never get in in this area, so they'd rather vote for what they see as the lesser of two evils between Labour and the Conservatives than 'waste' their vote). The only drawbacks I can see it having is the fact that people have to turn up to vote twice, and it's hard enough getting people to vote once. Looking briskly at the last French Presidential election (in which this system is used) on wiki, the numbers only decreased from 36,719,396 in the first round to 35,773,578 in the second, but I know very little about how the system would fare for electing parliament members rather than for a head of state. To me it seems this would be a better system to change towards (should anything ever come from the constitutional reform promises) than to go for a full blown proportional representation system due to the weak coalition governments with governments being decided in private talks rather than in the ballot booth.

[Каие]

You don't even have to turn up twice. You can have two votes on the ballot paper, 1st preference, then 2nd preference for the next round if there is one. Like in London.

[wilting]

You don't even have to turn up twice. You can have two votes on the ballot paper, 1st preference, then 2nd preference for the next round if there is one. Like in London.

This. Second rounds are silly when you can just have an STV system. Very underused election system considering it's utility.

[Desperado †]

You don't even have to turn up twice. You can have two votes on the ballot paper, 1st preference, then 2nd preference for the next round if there is one. Like in London.

This. Second rounds are silly when you can just have an STV system. Very underused election system considering it's utility.

Preferential voting would have a different outcome - it gives the voter less power and means that the larger parties fare better.

Say I really want Lib Dems, but I'd rather the Tories to Labour (the two parties most likely to get in). In a scenario where nobody wins with 50% or more in the first round/with first preference, in preferential voting I'd still be giving the Tories a vote even though I don't want them in, whereas in two round I'd only vote for them when I know that it's either them or Labour.

In the two round system you only vote for a 'lesser evil' when you have to, and don't aid them against the party you actually want in. The two round voting system hence gives the voter more power than preferential voting.

[Каие]

Not necessarily. Because once Lib Dem supporters stop crying and just vote Lib Dem on the first preference, the Lib Dems are likely to actually get the votes they deserve in the first place and the other two parties would get less in percentage terms. Then on second preference the Libs are likely to get Labour and Green votes, maybe even Tory if it's between the Libs and Labour.


But be honest I'm a bit tired of electoral reform debates which are based entirely around not which is fairer, but which helps out the Liberals most.

[Desperado †]

Not necessarily. Because once Lib Dem supporters stop crying and just vote Lib Dem on the first preference, the Lib Dems are likely to actually get the votes they deserve in the first place and the other two parties would get less in percentage terms. Then on second preference the Libs are likely to get Labour and Green votes, maybe even Tory if it's between the Libs and Labour.

No no, in my above explanation the Lib Dem supporters voted Lib Dem on the first preference - but they'd still fare worse than they would in the two round system.

But it's not about whether or not the larger parties do better or worse, it's about giving more power to the voter, and as I said, in the two round system you only vote for a 'lesser evil' when you have to, and don't aid them against the party you actually want in. The two round system gives voters more power and ensures that those who are elected are those the people want, rather than simply a lesser evil.

But be honest I'm a bit tired of electoral reform debates which are based entirely around not which is fairer, but which helps out the Liberals most.

There's no question that the liberals would do better with practically any other voting system (and all the other smaller parties), and it's no question that Gordon only started this debate because Labour are down - but I think this opportunity should be taken to improve our old fashioned voting system and install a better one - not chosen by the parties or for the good of a party, but chosen by the electorate for the good of the electorate.

We've been locked under a political duopoly with parties wielding too much power for far too long, and it's time to take some power from the party hierarchies to the people themselves, via electoral reforms, open primaries, transparency, devolution and referendums. Taking some powers from the executive and handing it down to Parliament whilst we're at it wouldn't be a bad idea.