Proportional Representation - Single Transferable Vote (PR-STV) - EXPLAINED!

In Ireland we have a unique voting system called PR-STV. Only Malta and Ireland use this system and it seems quite simple until you understand the method used to count the votes.

The phrase "vote in order of your preference" is trotted out by mainstream media and mainstream political parties, but it's actually not quite that simple.

This week Barbara teases out the way the count works and why that is such a significant factor in how we should all consider the way that we complete our ballot papers. In many countries, voting results are available just a few hours after the polling stations close but in Ireland it's often days and sometimes weeks before final results are known and that's all down to the unique way that votes are counted, distributed and transferred in our complicated count process.

Barbara is joined by Anne Wall and David Smyth. Anne is a retired civil servant who has worked at many count centres as part of her job. David is a Socialist activist and former elections campaign manager in several local and national elections.

This episode reveals some of the interesting aspects of this count process and relates them to how you, as a voter, can use your ballot paper in ways that you might not have realised.

Enjoy!