The single transferable vote electoral system is a rarely used form of proportional representation, which allows the voter to sort the candidates on the ballot in order of preference. If the first-choice candidate has already been elected or eliminated from the election race, the vote is transferred to the second-choice candidate, or subsequent choices. The votes are counted in rounds, with the candidate who receives the number of votes determined by quota being elected. The main advantages of the single transferable vote system are that it gives greater value to individual voter’s votes, a higher proportion of effective votes, greater freedom of choice of candidates, better representation of minorities in society and a more direct influence on seat allocation and the structure of the parliament.
This master thesis discusses the possibility and adequacy of applying the single transferable vote system to the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia’s general elections, in compliance with the constitutional requirements for proportional representation and the decisive influence of voters on the allocation of parliamentary seats. For the possible introduction, and constitutional and legal application, of the single transferable vote system, certain conditions would also have to be met, i.e. legislative and minor constitutional amendments, including the adjustment of constituencies to an appropriate size to ensure the proportionality of the system and the ease of voting in elections, and the abolition of the existing electoral threshold.
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