PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA

Tel +613 9589 1802

Tel +61429176725

18 Anita Street

BEAUMARIS VIC 3193

 

info@prsa.org.au

www.prsa.org.au

2010-03-24

 

 

The Hare-Clark System of Proportional Representation

 

 

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The Hare-Clark electoral system as described by Tasmania's Parliament, and by the Electoral Commissions of  Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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Further information on Hare-Clark is in the Tasmanian Section of A Brief History of the PRSA and its Branches.

 

 

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