College Political Science Quiz: Electoral Systems
20 questions · exam conditions
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Electoral SystemsQuestion 1 of 20

A newly independent nation is being established. Its founders are primarily concerned with preventing the legislative gridlock and instability they associate with multi-party coalition governments. They want to design an electoral system that is most likely to produce single-party majority governments. Which electoral system should they choose?

Party-list proportional representation with no electoral threshold.
Mixed-member proportional system.
Single-member district plurality.
Single transferable vote.
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College Political Science Quiz

College Political Science Quiz: Electoral Systems

Practice Electoral Systems in College Political Science with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Electoral Systems, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for College Political Science.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

A newly independent nation is being established. Its founders are primarily concerned with preventing the legislative gridlock and instability they associate with multi-party coalition governments. They want to design an electoral system that is most likely to produce single-party majority governments. Which electoral system should they choose?

  1. Party-list proportional representation with no electoral threshold.
  2. Mixed-member proportional system.
  3. Single-member district plurality. (correct answer)
  4. Single transferable vote.
Explanation: Single-member district plurality (SMDP/FPTP) systems are known for manufacturing majorities. They tend to exaggerate the seat share of the largest party, often allowing a party to win a majority of seats with only a plurality (less than 50%) of the popular vote. This systematically disadvantages smaller parties and leads to two-party competition, making single-party majority governments the norm. The other three options (A, B, and D) are all forms of proportional or semi-proportional representation that are designed to translate votes into seats more fairly, which almost always results in multi-party legislatures and coalition governments—the exact outcome the founders wish to avoid.

Question 2

Which of the following statements accurately describes a fundamental characteristic shared by all mixed electoral systems?

  1. They use party-list seats to compensate for the disproportional results of constituency-level contests.
  2. They result in a more proportional outcome than any pure plurality or pure proportional system.
  3. They require voters to cast two separate votes: one for a candidate and one for a party.
  4. They combine the use of multi-member districts with single-member districts in the same election. (correct answer)
Explanation: The defining feature of any mixed system is the combination of different electoral formulas for the same legislative body. This universally involves using single-member districts (usually with a plurality/majoritarian rule) alongside multi-member districts (usually with a proportional rule). (A) is a feature of Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP) systems, but not Parallel/MMM systems, so it is not true for all mixed systems. (B) is incorrect; MMP systems are highly proportional, but Parallel systems are not, and may be less proportional than some pure PR systems. (C) is a very common feature but not universal; some mixed systems derive the party vote from the candidate vote, so it is not a fundamental requirement of the system type.

Question 3

Country A uses a Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP) system, while Country B uses a Parallel (or Mixed-Member Majoritarian) system. Both countries elect half their legislators in districts and half via national lists. Which statement best captures the principal difference in their political outcomes?

  1. Country A's legislature will be more proportional to the national vote than Country B's. (correct answer)
  2. Strategic voting will be more prevalent in Country B than in Country A.
  3. Smaller parties have a better chance of winning district seats in Country A than in Country B.
  4. Country B is more likely to have a two-party system than Country A.
Explanation: The core difference between MMP and Parallel systems lies in the function of the list seats. In MMP (Country A), the list seats are compensatory; they are allocated to correct the disproportionality from the district races, ensuring a highly proportional overall result. In a Parallel system (Country B), the two tiers are separate; the disproportionality of the district races is not corrected, leading to a less proportional legislature overall. Therefore, Country A's legislature will be more proportional. Both systems encourage strategic voting, but in different ways (B). The chance of winning district seats is the same in both (C). Both systems tend to produce multi-party systems, but the effect is much stronger in MMP, so Country A is less likely to have a two-party system than Country B (making D's phrasing incorrect).

Question 4

A country with a highly fragmented party system uses party-list proportional representation. In an attempt to reduce fragmentation and encourage government stability, it introduces a 10% national electoral threshold. What is the most likely consequence of this reform?

  1. An increase in the overall proportionality of the election results, as fewer votes are 'wasted'.
  2. The formation of pre-electoral coalitions among smaller parties to pool their votes. (correct answer)
  3. A strengthening of the link between individual legislators and their geographic constituencies.
  4. A decrease in the power of party leaders to control candidate nominations.
Explanation: A high electoral threshold forces smaller parties to either gain more votes or face extinction (i.e., winning votes but no seats). A common strategic response is for ideologically similar small parties to form pre-electoral coalitions or merge, allowing them to cross the threshold together. This directly addresses the goal of reducing fragmentation. Option (A) is the opposite of what happens; a high threshold increases the number of 'wasted' votes (votes for parties that don't win seats) and thus decreases proportionality. Option (C) is an effect associated with district-based systems, not a feature of PR systems that is changed by a threshold. Option (D) is more related to the choice between open and closed lists, not the electoral threshold.

Question 5

A political party operating under a closed-list proportional representation system decides to advocate for a switch to an open-list PR system. This change, if implemented, would most likely lead to which of the following internal party dynamics?

  1. A strengthening of the central party leadership's control over the party's legislative agenda.
  2. A decrease in the importance of fundraising for individual candidates.
  3. An increase in competition among candidates from the same party for voters' personal votes. (correct answer)
  4. A reduction in the number of viable political parties competing in the election.
Explanation: The key difference between closed-list and open-list PR is who determines the order of candidates on the party list. In a closed-list system, the party leadership sets the order, giving them immense power. In an open-list system, voters can express a preference for individual candidates, and their votes can change the order of the list. This forces candidates from the same party to compete against each other for these personal preference votes, often by cultivating a personal reputation and constituency service separate from the party brand. This weakens party leadership control (making A incorrect), increases the need for personal fundraising (making B incorrect), and has no direct effect on the number of parties (making D incorrect).

Question 6

Which of the following electoral systems requires voters to rank candidates in order of preference and uses those rankings to transfer votes from eliminated or elected candidates to ensure minimal vote wastage?

  1. Open-list proportional representation
  2. Block vote
  3. Mixed-member proportional
  4. Alternative vote (Instant-runoff voting) (correct answer)
Explanation: When you encounter questions about electoral systems, focus on the key mechanisms each system uses to translate votes into representation. The question here describes a system with two distinctive features: ranked voting and vote transfers to minimize wastage. The Alternative Vote (D) perfectly matches this description. In this system, voters rank candidates 1, 2, 3, and so on. If no candidate receives a majority of first-preference votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed to voters' second choices. This process continues until one candidate achieves a majority. The ranking system ensures that virtually no votes are "wasted" since they can transfer to voters' backup choices. Now let's examine why the other options don't fit. Open-list proportional representation (A) does allow voters some choice in candidate selection within party lists, but it doesn't use ranked voting or the vote transfer mechanism described. Block vote (B) lets voters select multiple candidates but doesn't involve ranking or transfers—it simply counts votes directly. Mixed-member proportional (C) combines district and proportional representation elements but doesn't require voters to rank candidates or transfer votes between them. The key study tip here is to memorize the defining characteristics of major electoral systems. Alternative vote is always associated with ranked choice voting and elimination rounds with vote transfers. When you see these two features together—ranking candidates AND transferring votes from eliminated candidates—think Alternative Vote immediately.

Question 7

Country A uses a Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP) system, while Country B uses a Parallel (or Mixed-Member Majoritarian) system. Both countries elect half their legislators in districts and half via national lists. Which statement best captures the principal difference in their political outcomes?

  1. Country A's legislature will be more proportional to the national vote than Country B's. (correct answer)
  2. Strategic voting will be more prevalent in Country B than in Country A.
  3. Smaller parties have a better chance of winning district seats in Country A than in Country B.
  4. Country B is more likely to have a two-party system than Country A.
Explanation: The core difference between MMP and Parallel systems lies in the function of the list seats. In MMP (Country A), the list seats are compensatory; they are allocated to correct the disproportionality from the district races, ensuring a highly proportional overall result. In a Parallel system (Country B), the two tiers are separate; the disproportionality of the district races is not corrected, leading to a less proportional legislature overall. Therefore, Country A's legislature will be more proportional. Both systems encourage strategic voting, but in different ways (B). The chance of winning district seats is the same in both (C). Both systems tend to produce multi-party systems, but the effect is much stronger in MMP, so Country A is less likely to have a two-party system than Country B (making D's phrasing incorrect).

Question 8

Duverger's Law suggests that plurality-rule elections in single-member districts tend to result in two-party systems. However, some countries using this system, such as Canada and India, have sustained multi-party systems.

According to the passage and principles of comparative politics, which factor best explains the persistence of multi-party systems in some countries with plurality electoral rules?

  1. The presence of a presidential system that counteracts the effects of the legislative electoral system.
  2. High levels of voter turnout that ensure smaller parties receive sufficient support to win.
  3. The existence of strong, geographically concentrated minority or regional parties. (correct answer)
  4. Frequent use of national referendums that give smaller parties a platform.
Explanation: Duverger's Law operates most effectively when political competition is nationalized. Its effect is weakened when a country has major political cleavages that are geographically concentrated. In such cases, a smaller party (like the Bloc Québécois in Canada or various regional parties in India) can win a significant number of seats by winning pluralities in the specific districts where its support is clustered, even if its national vote share is low. This allows it to survive and creates a multi-party system at the national level. The other options are less direct or incorrect explanations. A presidential system (A) can interact with the party system but doesn't inherently counteract Duverger's Law. High turnout (B) doesn't save small parties from the mechanics of the plurality system if their support is thinly spread. Referendums (D) are separate from the electoral mechanics that shape the party system.

Question 9

In a single-member district plurality election, a voter's most preferred party (Party A) consistently polls around 15%. The voter's second choice (Party B) polls at 42%, while their least preferred party (Party C) polls at 43%. Which action is this voter most likely to take, and why?

  1. Vote for Party A, to express their sincere preference and help the party build for the future.
  2. Vote for Party B, to prevent their least preferred party from winning the seat. (correct answer)
  3. Abstain from voting, because their preferred party has no chance of winning the election.
  4. Vote for Party C, to protest the two-party dominance and the limitations of the electoral system.
Explanation: This scenario describes the classic dilemma that leads to strategic (or tactical) voting. The voter understands that a vote for their sincere preference, Party A, is likely 'wasted' as Party A has no realistic chance of winning the district. To prevent their least preferred outcome (a victory for Party C), the voter may cast their ballot for their second choice, Party B, which has a strong chance of winning. This is a strategic calculation to maximize the impact of their vote. While some voters may choose expressive voting (A) or abstention (C), the most common form of strategic behavior in this context is to vote for the 'lesser of two evils' among the viable contenders.

Question 10

A political system is consistently characterized by legislatures where no single party holds a majority, lengthy and complex negotiations to form governments after each election, and a high degree of policy continuity across different administrations. This pattern of governance is the most likely outcome of which type of electoral system?

  1. Party-list proportional representation. (correct answer)
  2. A presidential system with direct election of the executive.
  3. First-past-the-post in single-member districts.
  4. A two-round majoritarian system.
Explanation: When you encounter questions about electoral systems and their consequences, focus on how different voting mechanisms shape party competition and government formation. The key is matching institutional features with their predictable outcomes. The scenario describes three interconnected features: no single-party majorities, complex coalition negotiations, and policy continuity. This pattern perfectly matches party-list proportional representation (A). Under PR systems, seats are allocated proportionally to vote share, making it nearly impossible for any single party to win a majority. This forces parties to negotiate coalitions after elections, creating the "lengthy and complex" government formation process described. Paradoxically, the need for compromise across multiple parties often produces policy continuity, as extreme positions must be moderated to maintain coalition unity. Option B (presidential systems with direct election) typically produces strong executive leadership independent of legislative majorities, contradicting the coalition-building pattern described. Option C (first-past-the-post) systematically advantages larger parties and often produces single-party majorities, especially in countries like the UK or Canada, eliminating the need for complex negotiations. Option D (two-round majoritarian systems) is designed specifically to produce majority winners by forcing runoffs, making coalition governments less necessary. Remember this connection: proportional representation = proportional problems for majority formation. When you see descriptions of coalition governments, complex negotiations, and fragmented legislatures, think PR systems. Conversely, when questions describe strong single-party governments or clear electoral winners, consider majoritarian systems like first-past-the-post or two-round voting.

Question 11

A country with a dominant political party that has long benefited from a first-past-the-post (FPTP) system decides to implement a Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP) electoral reform. What is the most probable impact on the legislature in the first election following this change?

  1. The dominant party will increase its seat share due to winning both district and list seats.
  2. The number of parties represented in the legislature will likely decrease, consolidating the party system.
  3. Voter turnout will decrease significantly due to the increased complexity of the new ballot.
  4. The dominant party's overall seat share will likely decrease to a level closer to its national vote share. (correct answer)
Explanation: When you encounter questions about electoral system reforms, focus on how different voting mechanisms translate votes into seats. First-past-the-post (FPTP) systems often create disproportional outcomes where dominant parties win seat shares that exceed their actual vote percentages, while smaller parties are underrepresented. Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP) systems combine district seats (won through FPTP) with party list seats allocated proportionally to correct overall imbalances. This design ensures that each party's total legislative representation more closely matches its national vote share. When a dominant party has thrived under FPTP by winning many districts with pluralities rather than majorities, MMP will likely reduce its inflated seat advantage. Answer D correctly identifies this core mechanism: the dominant party's seat share will decrease toward its actual vote percentage as the proportional component compensates for FPTP distortions. Answer A is wrong because while the dominant party may win some list seats, the proportional allocation will reduce, not increase, its overall advantage. Answer B misunderstands MMP's effect—proportional systems typically increase party representation by giving smaller parties viable paths to seats they couldn't win under FPTP. Answer C assumes voter confusion leads to lower turnout, but empirical evidence shows MMP systems often maintain or increase participation as voters feel their choices matter more. Remember this pattern: when electoral systems become more proportional, expect seat distributions to move closer to vote distributions, typically benefiting smaller parties at the expense of previously dominant ones.

Question 12

Consider a country with a first-past-the-post electoral system. Party A receives 40% of the national vote and wins 60% of the legislative seats. Party B receives 35% of the vote and wins 38% of the seats. Party C receives 25% of the vote and wins 2% of the seats. This outcome is a direct result of the system's tendency to:

  1. encourage pre-election coalitions between ideologically similar parties.
  2. provide representation for minority groups through special compensatory mechanisms.
  3. allocate seats based on a national quota calculated from total votes cast.
  4. reward parties with geographically concentrated support and penalize those with diffuse support. (correct answer)
Explanation: When analyzing electoral outcomes in first-past-the-post systems, focus on how geographic distribution of votes affects seat allocation. Unlike proportional representation systems, FPTP awards seats based on plurality winners in individual districts, not national vote shares. The correct answer is D because this scenario perfectly illustrates FPTP's geographic bias. Party A's disproportionate success (40% votes → 60% seats) suggests their supporters are efficiently concentrated in many districts where they can win pluralities. Party C's terrible conversion rate (25% votes → 2% seats) indicates their support is spread too thinly across districts—they may finish second or third in many constituencies but win very few outright. Party B falls between these extremes with a more typical underrepresentation. Option A is wrong because pre-election coalitions don't explain this vote-to-seat conversion pattern. Coalitions might affect which parties compete, but they don't create the geographic concentration effects shown here. Option B is incorrect because FPTP systems specifically lack compensatory mechanisms for minorities or underrepresented groups. The poor performance of Party C demonstrates the opposite—small parties get squeezed out. Option C mischaracterizes how FPTP works entirely. These systems don't use national quotas or proportional allocation formulas. Seats are won district by district based on local pluralities. Remember this key FPTP principle: geographic concentration of support matters more than total vote share. When you see dramatic disparities between vote percentages and seat percentages, immediately think about how supporters are distributed across electoral districts.

Question 13

A newly independent nation is being established. Its founders are primarily concerned with preventing the legislative gridlock and instability they associate with multi-party coalition governments. They want to design an electoral system that is most likely to produce single-party majority governments. Which electoral system should they choose?

  1. Party-list proportional representation with no electoral threshold.
  2. Mixed-member proportional system.
  3. Single-member district plurality. (correct answer)
  4. Single transferable vote.
Explanation: Single-member district plurality (SMDP/FPTP) systems are known for manufacturing majorities. They tend to exaggerate the seat share of the largest party, often allowing a party to win a majority of seats with only a plurality (less than 50%) of the popular vote. This systematically disadvantages smaller parties and leads to two-party competition, making single-party majority governments the norm. The other three options (A, B, and D) are all forms of proportional or semi-proportional representation that are designed to translate votes into seats more fairly, which almost always results in multi-party legislatures and coalition governments—the exact outcome the founders wish to avoid.

Question 14

A political system is consistently characterized by legislatures where no single party holds a majority, lengthy and complex negotiations to form governments after each election, and a high degree of policy continuity across different administrations. This pattern of governance is the most likely outcome of which type of electoral system?

  1. Party-list proportional representation. (correct answer)
  2. A presidential system with direct election of the executive.
  3. First-past-the-post in single-member districts.
  4. A two-round majoritarian system.
Explanation: When you encounter questions about electoral systems and their consequences, focus on how different voting mechanisms shape party competition and government formation. The key is matching institutional features with their predictable outcomes. The scenario describes three interconnected features: no single-party majorities, complex coalition negotiations, and policy continuity. This pattern perfectly matches party-list proportional representation (A). Under PR systems, seats are allocated proportionally to vote share, making it nearly impossible for any single party to win a majority. This forces parties to negotiate coalitions after elections, creating the "lengthy and complex" government formation process described. Paradoxically, the need for compromise across multiple parties often produces policy continuity, as extreme positions must be moderated to maintain coalition unity. Option B (presidential systems with direct election) typically produces strong executive leadership independent of legislative majorities, contradicting the coalition-building pattern described. Option C (first-past-the-post) systematically advantages larger parties and often produces single-party majorities, especially in countries like the UK or Canada, eliminating the need for complex negotiations. Option D (two-round majoritarian systems) is designed specifically to produce majority winners by forcing runoffs, making coalition governments less necessary. Remember this connection: proportional representation = proportional problems for majority formation. When you see descriptions of coalition governments, complex negotiations, and fragmented legislatures, think PR systems. Conversely, when questions describe strong single-party governments or clear electoral winners, consider majoritarian systems like first-past-the-post or two-round voting.

Question 15

A new democracy with multiple, deep-seated ethnic cleavages is designing its first constitution. The constitutional assembly's primary goal is to foster a legislature that reflects the country's diversity and encourages power-sharing among ethnic groups. Which of the following electoral systems would be the least effective at achieving this specific goal?

  1. Party-list proportional representation with a low electoral threshold.
  2. Single-member district plurality (first-past-the-post). (correct answer)
  3. Mixed-member proportional system.
  4. Single transferable vote in multi-member districts.
Explanation: Single-member district plurality (SMDP or FPTP) systems tend to produce disproportional results, exaggerating the seat share of the largest party and systematically underrepresenting smaller, geographically dispersed parties. In a country with ethnic cleavages, this often means smaller ethnic parties are shut out of representation, leading to exclusion and potentially exacerbating conflict. The other systems are designed to produce more proportional outcomes and are thus better suited for representing diverse societies. Party-list PR, MMP, and STV all ensure that smaller parties can gain representation, fostering inclusivity and coalition-building.

Question 16

Duverger's Law suggests that plurality-rule elections in single-member districts tend to result in two-party systems. However, some countries using this system, such as Canada and India, have sustained multi-party systems.

According to the passage and principles of comparative politics, which factor best explains the persistence of multi-party systems in some countries with plurality electoral rules?

  1. The presence of a presidential system that counteracts the effects of the legislative electoral system.
  2. High levels of voter turnout that ensure smaller parties receive sufficient support to win.
  3. The existence of strong, geographically concentrated minority or regional parties. (correct answer)
  4. Frequent use of national referendums that give smaller parties a platform.
Explanation: Duverger's Law operates most effectively when political competition is nationalized. Its effect is weakened when a country has major political cleavages that are geographically concentrated. In such cases, a smaller party (like the Bloc Québécois in Canada or various regional parties in India) can win a significant number of seats by winning pluralities in the specific districts where its support is clustered, even if its national vote share is low. This allows it to survive and creates a multi-party system at the national level. The other options are less direct or incorrect explanations. A presidential system (A) can interact with the party system but doesn't inherently counteract Duverger's Law. High turnout (B) doesn't save small parties from the mechanics of the plurality system if their support is thinly spread. Referendums (D) are separate from the electoral mechanics that shape the party system.

Question 17

In a single-member district plurality election, a voter's most preferred party (Party A) consistently polls around 15%. The voter's second choice (Party B) polls at 42%, while their least preferred party (Party C) polls at 43%. Which action is this voter most likely to take, and why?

  1. Vote for Party A, to express their sincere preference and help the party build for the future.
  2. Vote for Party B, to prevent their least preferred party from winning the seat. (correct answer)
  3. Abstain from voting, because their preferred party has no chance of winning the election.
  4. Vote for Party C, to protest the two-party dominance and the limitations of the electoral system.
Explanation: This scenario describes the classic dilemma that leads to strategic (or tactical) voting. The voter understands that a vote for their sincere preference, Party A, is likely 'wasted' as Party A has no realistic chance of winning the district. To prevent their least preferred outcome (a victory for Party C), the voter may cast their ballot for their second choice, Party B, which has a strong chance of winning. This is a strategic calculation to maximize the impact of their vote. While some voters may choose expressive voting (A) or abstention (C), the most common form of strategic behavior in this context is to vote for the 'lesser of two evils' among the viable contenders.

Question 18

How does a two-round system (TRS) for legislative elections primarily alter the strategic incentives for political parties compared to a single-round, first-past-the-post (FPTP) system?

  1. It eliminates strategic voting entirely because voters can express their sincere preference in the first round.
  2. It encourages parties to form broader, more inclusive coalitions between the first and second rounds of voting. (correct answer)
  3. It guarantees a more proportional outcome in the legislature by ensuring every winner has majority support.
  4. It weakens the role of party labels, as voters focus exclusively on individual candidate qualifications in both rounds.
Explanation: In a two-round system, only the top candidates (usually two) from the first round advance to the second. This creates a powerful incentive for parties whose candidates were eliminated to endorse one of the remaining candidates and form an alliance, often in exchange for policy concessions or cabinet positions. This inter-round bargaining is a key feature of TRS and leads to broader coalitions than in FPTP. (A) is incorrect; strategic voting still occurs, especially in the first round. (C) is incorrect; while individual winners have a majority in their district, the overall legislative result is not necessarily proportional. (D) is incorrect; party labels remain critically important for signaling and coalition-building.

Question 19

A country with a dominant political party that has long benefited from a first-past-the-post (FPTP) system decides to implement a Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP) electoral reform. What is the most probable impact on the legislature in the first election following this change?

  1. The dominant party will increase its seat share due to winning both district and list seats.
  2. The number of parties represented in the legislature will likely decrease, consolidating the party system.
  3. Voter turnout will decrease significantly due to the increased complexity of the new ballot.
  4. The dominant party's overall seat share will likely decrease to a level closer to its national vote share. (correct answer)
Explanation: When you encounter questions about electoral system reforms, focus on how different voting mechanisms translate votes into seats. First-past-the-post (FPTP) systems often create disproportional outcomes where dominant parties win seat shares that exceed their actual vote percentages, while smaller parties are underrepresented. Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP) systems combine district seats (won through FPTP) with party list seats allocated proportionally to correct overall imbalances. This design ensures that each party's total legislative representation more closely matches its national vote share. When a dominant party has thrived under FPTP by winning many districts with pluralities rather than majorities, MMP will likely reduce its inflated seat advantage. Answer D correctly identifies this core mechanism: the dominant party's seat share will decrease toward its actual vote percentage as the proportional component compensates for FPTP distortions. Answer A is wrong because while the dominant party may win some list seats, the proportional allocation will reduce, not increase, its overall advantage. Answer B misunderstands MMP's effect—proportional systems typically increase party representation by giving smaller parties viable paths to seats they couldn't win under FPTP. Answer C assumes voter confusion leads to lower turnout, but empirical evidence shows MMP systems often maintain or increase participation as voters feel their choices matter more. Remember this pattern: when electoral systems become more proportional, expect seat distributions to move closer to vote distributions, typically benefiting smaller parties at the expense of previously dominant ones.

Question 20

Which of the following electoral systems requires voters to rank candidates in order of preference and uses those rankings to transfer votes from eliminated or elected candidates to ensure minimal vote wastage?

  1. Open-list proportional representation
  2. Block vote
  3. Mixed-member proportional
  4. Alternative vote (Instant-runoff voting) (correct answer)
Explanation: When you encounter questions about electoral systems, focus on the key mechanisms each system uses to translate votes into representation. The question here describes a system with two distinctive features: ranked voting and vote transfers to minimize wastage. The Alternative Vote (D) perfectly matches this description. In this system, voters rank candidates 1, 2, 3, and so on. If no candidate receives a majority of first-preference votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed to voters' second choices. This process continues until one candidate achieves a majority. The ranking system ensures that virtually no votes are "wasted" since they can transfer to voters' backup choices. Now let's examine why the other options don't fit. Open-list proportional representation (A) does allow voters some choice in candidate selection within party lists, but it doesn't use ranked voting or the vote transfer mechanism described. Block vote (B) lets voters select multiple candidates but doesn't involve ranking or transfers—it simply counts votes directly. Mixed-member proportional (C) combines district and proportional representation elements but doesn't require voters to rank candidates or transfer votes between them. The key study tip here is to memorize the defining characteristics of major electoral systems. Alternative vote is always associated with ranked choice voting and elimination rounds with vote transfers. When you see these two features together—ranking candidates AND transferring votes from eliminated candidates—think Alternative Vote immediately.