STV

Government & Politics abbreviation · Political

STV
Stands forSingle transferable vote
CategoriesGovernment & Politics

STV stands for Single transferable vote, a political abbreviation.

Proportional voting method for multi-member districts in which voters rank candidates, and surplus votes from elected candidates and votes from eliminated candidates transfer to the next preference until all seats are filled. It is used in Ireland, Malta and Australia's Senate.

Example: Under STV, each Irish constituency elects three to five members of the Dáil.

Usage notes

Candidates must reach a quota, usually the Droop quota, to be elected. Unlike party-list systems, STV lets voters choose among individual candidates, including several from the same party. Cambridge, Massachusetts, has elected its city council this way since 1941, and Scotland uses it for local council elections.

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