This essay aims to explain the differences between preferential and proportional
systems of voting and the consequences of these systems in Australia. The
electoral system of Germany is examined in comparison.
Why are electoral systems so important? Through elections, citizens of a county
can express their views and choose the government they wish to see in power.
Therefore, the electoral system is one of the significant features of a democracy
and a representative government. The political outcome of an election can vary
greatly depending on which of the different types (and/or variations of each type)
of systems is in effect. Hence, the organisation of the political system strongly
depends on the electoral system.1
The impacts of electoral systems on the political and party system will be
examined after looking at the two systems of voting used in Australia at the
Commonwealth/ Federal level: the preferential voting system and the system of
proportional representation.
Preferential voting in single-member seats is used for elections for the House of
Representatives and is also often referred to as Alternative Vote.2 A distinctive
feature of this voting system is that the winning candidate needs to receive an
absolute majority of the primary vote, in other words 50% plus one. Alternatively,
the candidate can win the election by securing an absolute majority after the
distribution of preferences. 3
Under a system of full preferential voting, electors must indicate a preference for
all candidates listed on the ballot paper. Voters show their first preference by
giving the number “1” to their preferred candidate. They then rank all other
candidates by distributing the remaining numbers in descending order from 2 to X
(X = the number of candidates taking part in the election).
In the first round of counting votes, the numbers of primary votes are registered. [...]
1 David W. Lovell et al., The Australian Political System, (2nd edition), Longman, South
Melbourne, 1998, p. 269.
2 Ben Reilly, ‘The Alternative Vote in Australia’, 6 March 1999, Electoral Systems,
Administration and Cost of Elections Project, <http://www.aceproject.org/main/english/es/>;,
consulted 2 June 2003
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Preferential voting
3. Proportional representation
4. Impacts of the electoral systems in Australia
5. Impacts of the electoral systems in Germany
6. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This essay explores the structural differences between preferential and proportional voting systems, analyzing their specific political consequences in Australia and comparing them with the German electoral model.
- Mechanisms of the preferential voting system in Australia
- Principles of proportional representation in the Australian Senate
- Political impacts of bicameralism and varying electoral rules
- Comparative analysis of the German mixed-member electoral system
- Influence of electoral thresholds and party systems on governmental stability
Excerpt from the Book
Preferential voting
Preferential voting in single-member seats is used for elections for the House of Representatives and is also often referred to as Alternative Vote. A distinctive feature of this voting system is that the winning candidate needs to receive an absolute majority of the primary vote, in other words 50% plus one. Alternatively, the candidate can win the election by securing an absolute majority after the distribution of preferences.
Under a system of full preferential voting, electors must indicate a preference for all candidates listed on the ballot paper. Voters show their first preference by giving the number “1” to their preferred candidate. They then rank all other candidates by distributing the remaining numbers in descending order from 2 to X (X = the number of candidates taking part in the election).
In the first round of counting votes, the numbers of primary votes are registered. If no candidate has reached an absolute majority after the first round, the candidate with the lowest number of first preference votes is excluded. The votes on these ballot papers are then reallocated amongst the remaining candidates as if they were first preferences. This system of excluding and redistributing the votes continues until one candidate has secured an absolute majority and is duly elected. In case a second preference would give a vote to a candidate who has already been excluded, the next available preference is allocated.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the purpose of the essay to compare Australian and German electoral systems and their significance for democratic representation.
2. Preferential voting: Explains the mechanics of the Alternative Vote system used for the Australian House of Representatives and its impact on majority outcomes.
3. Proportional representation: Describes the single transferable vote system applied in the Australian Senate and how it ensures representation proportional to voter support.
4. Impacts of the electoral systems in Australia: Analyzes the political consequences of using different voting systems in the two chambers, including effects on party systems and potential for parliamentary deadlock.
5. Impacts of the electoral systems in Germany: Examines the German hybrid electoral system and how it balances direct constituency representation with party-list proportionality.
6. Conclusion: Summarizes the comparative findings regarding how electoral design influences political stability and democratic representation.
Keywords
Preferential voting, Proportional representation, Australia, Germany, Bundestag, Senate, Electoral system, Alternative Vote, Single transferable vote, Mixed-member system, Democracy, Party system, Political stability, First-past-the-post, Overhang seats.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the differences between preferential and proportional voting systems, specifically analyzing how these systems shape the political landscape in Australia and Germany.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The core topics include the mechanics of voting systems, the impact of electoral rules on party composition, governmental stability, and the structural differences between bicameral systems.
What is the main research objective?
The objective is to compare how specific electoral systems in Australia and Germany influence parliamentary representation and the overall effectiveness of the respective governments.
Which scientific approach does the author use?
The author employs a comparative case study approach, evaluating specific constitutional and electoral mechanisms in both nations to determine their political outcomes.
What content is addressed in the main body of the work?
The main body details the technical processes of preferential voting and proportional representation, the resulting party dynamics in Australian chambers, and the historical context of the German mixed-member electoral law.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Key terms include preferential voting, proportional representation, Australian politics, German electoral system, Bundestag, and democratic representation.
Why is the 5% threshold significant in the German electoral system?
The threshold is designed to prevent the proliferation of small, destabilizing splinter parties, thereby encouraging larger parties or stable coalitions within the Bundestag.
How does the Australian bicameral system lead to potential deadlocks?
Because different electoral systems are used for the House of Representatives and the Senate, it is rare for one party to hold a majority in both, often leading to legislative gridlock if the government and the Senate fail to reach an agreement.
- Quote paper
- Anke Bartl (Author), 2003, Electoral systems in Australia and Germany - a comparative study, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/17701
