Kit Library / Social Studies / Civics & Government
⚡ Topic Learning KitShared by a Veda learner · Generated with Veda AI
Veda Bites are swipeable micro-lessons — each one teaches exactly one idea. The bites below come from this kit — swipe through them in the app.
💡 Key Idea
One vote, many choices, fair results.
Single Transferable Vote (STV) is a proportional representation system where voters rank candidates by preference. Instead of just picking one, you order candidates from favorite to least favorite. If your top choice is eliminated or already has enough votes, your vote transfers to your next preference. Thi…
↳ STV makes every vote count by letting it move to your next choice.
⚙️ Process
Follow the vote transfers step by step.
↳ STV repeats transfer and elimination until every seat is decided.
➗ Formula
How many votes do you need to win?
↳ The quota ensures no more winners than seats.
✏️ Example
A small example makes it clear.
Imagine 100 voters electing 2 seats. Quota = floor(100/3)+1 = 34. Candidates A, B, C, D run.
↳ Surplus and eliminated votes flow to other candidates.
⚖️ Comparison
How STV differs from simple plurality.
↳ STV aims for proportional representation, unlike FPTP.
🌍 Real World
Real places, real elections.
↳ STV is used in several countries for fair representation.
⚠️ Common Mistake
Don't stop at your favorite.
↳ Rank more to keep your vote alive.
💡 Key Idea
Extra votes don't go to waste.
When a candidate exceeds the quota, the surplus (votes above quota) is transferred to the next preferences on those ballots. This ensures that as many votes as possible help elect someone.
↳ Surplus votes are redistributed, not discarded.
🎯 Exam Tip
Quota is the key number.
In exams, always calculate the quota first. Then track transfers carefully. Practice with small numbers to avoid mistakes.
↳ Quota calculation is the first step in any STV problem.
❓ Did You Know
A system with a long history.
STV was invented independently by Thomas Hare in England and Carl Andræ in Denmark in the 1850s. It has been used for over 150 years.
↳ STV is a time-tested electoral method.
Think of choosing a menu.
Imagine a group ordering pizzas. Everyone ranks toppings. If the most popular choice is already ordered, your vote goes to your next favorite topping. This way, the final order reflects everyone's preferences as much as possible.
↳ STV is like ranking your pizza toppings to get a fair mix.
Honest ranking is the best strategy.
In STV, you don't need to worry about 'wasting' your vote. Rank candidates in your true order of preference. There's no advantage to strategic voting.
↳ Vote your true preferences in STV.
The Single Transferable Vote (STV) is a proportional representation electoral system where voters rank candidates by preference. Votes are transferred from surplus or eliminated candidates to ensure every vote helps elec…
Full explanation, worked examples & memory tricks in the app
All 19 questions, laddered from warm-up to topper-level, each with its answer and the reasoning behind it.
Q1. What is the primary goal of the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system?
BeginnerA · To achieve proportional representation in multi-member districts
STV is designed to produce proportional representation in multi-member districts by electing multiple representatives who reflect the diversity of voter preferences.
Q2. In STV, what does a voter do on their ballot?
BeginnerA · Rank candidates in order of preference
STV uses a preferential ballot where voters rank candidates (1, 2, 3, etc.) to indicate their order of choice.
Q3. What does 'transferable' in STV refer to?
BeginnerD · The movement of surplus and eliminated candidates' votes to other candidates
The 'transferable' aspect means that votes are not locked to a candidate; they can be transferred to other candidates based on voters' preferences, ensuring broader representation.
Q4. STV is a form of which broader electoral system family?
BeginnerC · Proportional representation
STV is a proportional representation system because it aims to allocate seats in proportion to votes, unlike plurality systems.
Q5. In STV, a candidate who reaches the quota is immediately elected.
BeginnerA · True
Yes, any candidate who reaches the quota is elected in that round.
Q6. STV is a single-winner electoral system.
BeginnerB · False
STV is primarily a multi-winner system, though it can be used for single-winner elections (as IRV).
Q7. What is the 'quota' in STV?
IntermediateB · The minimum number of votes a candidate needs to be elected
The quota is the minimum number of votes required for a candidate to be elected. The most common formula is the Droop quota: (total valid votes / (seats + 1)) + 1.
Q8. What happens to surplus votes of an elected candidate in STV?
IntermediateA · They are transferred to remaining candidates according to voters' next preferences
Surplus votes (votes above the quota) are transferred to other candidates based on the next available preference on each ballot, ensuring votes are not wasted.
Q9. When a candidate is eliminated in STV, what happens to their votes?
IntermediateB · They are transferred to the remaining candidates based on next preferences
When a candidate is eliminated (usually the one with the fewest votes), their ballots are transferred to the next preferred candidate still in the race.
Q10. Which of the following is a key advantage of STV?
IntermediateD · It minimizes wasted votes and produces proportional outcomes
STV reduces wasted votes by transferring preferences and helps achieve proportional representation, allowing minority groups to gain representation.
Q11. What is a common criticism of STV?
IntermediateB · It can be complex to count and may lead to lengthy vote counts
STV counting is more complex than plurality or party-list systems, often requiring multiple rounds and computer assistance, which can delay results.
Q12. Which country uses STV for its national elections?
IntermediateC · Ireland
Ireland uses STV for its Dáil (lower house) elections. Australia uses it for the Senate, but Ireland is a prominent national example.
Q13. In STV, what is a 'surplus'?
IntermediateA · The number of votes a candidate receives beyond the quota
A surplus occurs when a candidate receives more votes than the quota. These surplus votes are transferred to other candidates to avoid wasting them.
Q14. Which of the following is NOT a typical step in the STV counting process?
IntermediateD · Combine all parties' votes into a national pool
STV operates within individual multi-member districts; it does not pool votes nationally. Counting is done district by district.
Q15. What is the effect of STV on political parties?
IntermediateA · It encourages multi-party systems and coalition building
Because STV is proportional, smaller parties have a better chance of winning seats, often leading to a multi-party system and coalition governments.
Q16. In STV, what happens if not all seats are filled after the first count?
IntermediateB · The candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and their votes transferred
If seats remain unfilled, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are transferred to other candidates. This process repeats until all seats are filled.
Q17. What is a potential drawback of STV in terms of voter experience?
IntermediateA · Voters may find ranking many candidates confusing
In STV, voters may need to rank many candidates, which can be overwhelming, especially in large districts with many candidates.
Q18. In STV, what is the 'Droop quota' formula?
AdvancedB · (Total valid votes / (Seats + 1)) + 1
The Droop quota is the most common quota in STV. It is calculated as floor(Total valid votes / (Seats + 1)) + 1, ensuring that no more candidates can reach the quota than there are seats.
Q19. Which of the following is a true statement about STV?
AdvancedD · STV can be used for both single-winner and multi-winner elections
STV is a multi-winner system, but when used with a single winner, it is identical to instant-runoff voting (IRV). Thus, STV can be adapted for single-winner contests.
18 flashcards in this kit — the app reviews them with spaced repetition so the right card returns on the right day.
Every game is built from this kit's own content — scores feed your mastery, so playing counts as studying.
True False
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Memory Match
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Flashcard Battle
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Speed Quiz
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Sequence Builder
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Revision Battle
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