Electoral Systems | Edexcel A-Level Politics (9PL0)
Electoral Systems
- 48 questions
- 3 subtopics
- Component 1: UK politics
- Component 1
Covers the voting systems used across the UK, what each does to the relationship between votes and seats, how referendums have been used since 1997, and the arguments over reforming the Westminster system..
It covers different electoral systems, referendums and how they are used and electoral system analysis.
Sample questions from Electoral Systems
Answer each one closed book first, then open the answer.
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Different electoral systems
Where is STV used in the UK?
Show the answer
In elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly and Scottish local councils. -
Different electoral systems
Give two disadvantages of the Supplementary Vote.
Show the answer
It is not proportional because only one person is elected, and voters must guess which two candidates will reach the final count, so second preferences for other candidates are wasted and the winner may still lack a majority of all votes cast. -
Referendums and how they are used
Give two arguments for the use of referendums.
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They give issues direct democratic legitimacy and settle major constitutional questions with clear public consent, boosting participation. -
Referendums and how they are used
What was the outcome of the 2011 referendum on the alternative vote?
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Voters rejected the change by roughly two to one, ending the Coalition's attempt at electoral reform and closing the question for the rest of the decade. -
Electoral system analysis
What is a "safe seat" and which system produces many of them?
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A constituency a party is almost certain to win at every election; FPTP produces many safe seats, reducing the impact of many voters. -
Electoral system analysis
What is a hybrid or mixed electoral system?
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One that combines both principles, electing some representatives from single-member districts and others from party lists. The additional member system used for the Scottish Parliament and the London Assembly is the main UK example.
The 3 subtopics
One subtopic is one session. Work down the list.
| Subtopic | What it covers | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Different electoral systems | Recall questions on first past the post, the additional member system, single transferable vote and supplementary vote, and the advantages and drawbacks of each. | 22 |
| Referendums and how they are used | Recall questions on what a referendum is, the major UK votes since 1997, why they are advisory rather than binding, and how they sit alongside representative democracy. | 13 |
| Electoral system analysis | Recall questions on why different systems are used for different elections, what each does to party representation and government formation, and safe and marginal seats. | 13 |
How the guide is worked
Answering a question from memory stores it far better than reading the answer again. The guide runs that as a fixed procedure on one subtopic at a time, about twenty minutes a session.
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Step 1 · Closed book
Cover the answers. Work through one subtopic and write down what you can. Leave blanks where you have nothing.
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Step 2 · Open book
Go back to the top. Read each printed answer and write it out in full, including the ones you had right.
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Step 3 · Closed book again
Same questions, same order, from memory. The gap between pass one and pass three is the session result.
Read the full method, the return schedule and the research behind it.
Nearby topics
Edexcel A-Level Politics Active Recall Guide
Every topic, not just this one. 2,101 questions with their answers.