2. • All PR systems work on the basis that the
number of seats won by a party should
(roughly) be in proportion to the number of
votes they have gained.
• There are different PR systems that are
used in different elections.

3. AMS is an attempt to bring FPTP and PR together.
Constituency MSP’s are elected using FPTP whilst
Regional MSP’s are elected using party list. 8 Regions which
elect 7 MSPs.
Vote for a Party. 7
MSPs are elected
by the proportion
of votes that their
party has won
(Party List).
73
Constituencies.
Vote once for a
candidate -
person with the
most votes wins
(FPTP). http://www.bbc.co.uk/

5. Political Party Constituency
MSPs
Regional
MSPs
Total MSPs PR systems
% of votes*
% of seats
usually result
Conservative 3 15
12 in the party
Green 0 2 2 with the most
seats having
Labour 15 22 37 under 50% .
Liberal Democrats 2 5
3 2011 was the
Scottish National Party
53 16 69 first time a
Others party won with
0 1 1
a majority.

6. Voters choose their
candidates and parties in
order of preference.
A fair percentage, or
quota, for a candidate to
be elected is worked out.
First preferences are
calculated to see if the
quota has been reached,
second preferences are
then worked out and
added to the first
preferences and so on
until the seats have been
filled.
http://www.bbc.co.uk

7.  Each party draws up a list of candidates which are
ranked in order of the party’s preference.
 Voters cast a vote for a party rather than a candidate.
 If a party received 20% of the vote the top 20% of the
party candidates will become representatives.

8. 1. In groups of 3 each take one of the PR systems.
2. Using the handouts write down the advantages and
disadvantages of your system.
3. Try to come up with some recent examples to report back
to your group.
Advantages Disadvantag Examples
es
Additional
Members
System
Single
Transferable
Vote
Party List