|
|
PROPORTIONAL
REPRESENTATION SOCIETY OF |
|||
|
Tel +613 9589 1802 |
Tel +61429176725 |
|
BEAUMARIS VIC 3193 |
|
|
|
2010-03-24 |
|||
|
The Hare-Clark System
of Proportional Representation |
|
|
* |
The
Hare-Clark electoral system as described by |
|
* |
Hare-Clark
is a Quota-Preferential (or Single Transferable Vote) PR system
that, unlike other PR systems, implements the vital
principle of DIRECT ELECTION of representatives.
PR should be used to fill an ODD - not an even number of places
- to ensure majorities prevail. |
|
* |
Robson
Rotation governs printing of candidates' names on ballot-papers so
no candidate has more or less chance of being in a more prominent position on a ballot-paper
than any other candidate, thus neutralizing "donkey votes", and
making "how-to-vote" cards redundant. |
|
* |
Optional marking of preferences has always applied in Hare-Clark
for those preferences beyond the number of positions to be filled, but the
Senate PR system, without any good public interest reason, controversially
requires many more preferences to be marked for a valid vote. |
|
* |
The Droop quota, rather than the Hare quota originally put forward by Thomas Hare, is
used in the Hare-Clark system, as in virtually all modern quota-preferential
proportional representation systems, because it avoids some of the practical
disadvantages of the Hare quota. |
|
* |
Gregory fractional transfer is the system of
transferring surplus votes by examining all relevant papers prescribed, and
transferring a fractional part of their vote value to the candidate indicated
as the next available preference. |
|
* |
Countback
ensures, unlike the undemocratic system of replacement of directly elected senators by party appointees,
that the people that fill casual vacancies under the Hare-Clark system are
directly elected by the voters. It has been part of the Hare-Clark system since
1918. |
|
* |
Further information on Hare-Clark is in the Tasmanian
Section of A Brief
History of the PRSA and its Branches. Click here for HOME. |