What the P. R. League advocates (1922)

Below is "WHAT WE ADVOCATE" and a collection of miscellaneous explanatory and inspirational message pertaining to STV circa 1922.

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"WHAT WE ADVOCATE"

"The P. R. League urges the Hare system of proportional representation ("P. R.") for the election of representative bodies.

This system of election gives every group of like-minded voters the share of the members elected that it has of the votes cast.

It does this by giving every voter a single vote, either at large or in a district electing several members, and requiring a separate quota of votes for the election of each member.It allows the voter to make his vote count without knowing whether his favorite can secure the necessary quota or not. All he has to do is to mark not only his first choice but as many alternative choices as he likes. If it is found that his ballot cannot possibly help elect his first choice, it is used instead for the first of his later choices whom it can help.

For a detailed description of the system, see the P. R. League's Leaflet No. 5."

(From the Proportional Representation Review, April 1922, p. 43)

"Pro-rep does not allow any group to have a greater effect on the result than its numbers entitle it to." (Proportional Representation Review, April 1922, p. [44])

"The proportional feature of the Hare system enables every important element to obtain its own separate representation without the aid of any outside machine, and restricts any such machine to its fair proportion of the members on the basis of the votes cast."

From the Proportional Representation Review, April 1922)

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Proportional Representation Review, July 1922:

"Ireland successfully used STV for its first election as a Republic.

The pro-rep system has shown that it can defeat all attempts, save those imposed by physical force, to suppress public opinion. Further, it not only reveals the mind of the people on the main political issues of the day but it throws valuable light on the attitude of sectional interests towards those main issues. The comparatively small number of spoiled papers, the intelligent purpose disclosed in the marking of choices, show how rapidly electors can grasp this new method of voting. These elections have revealed the new power, the new freedom which pro-rep confers on citizens. It make the act of voting worthwhile."

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"...the moral force of public opinion clearly expressed must act as a powerful deterrent to military action on the part of a minority..."

John H. Humphreys, secretary of the Proportional Representation Society, London Proportional Representation Review, July 1922

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"It gives electors both power and freedom." Proportional Representation Review, July 1922)

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STV, in effect, gives an elector the voting power and choice of two elections on one voting ballot. So that there is no need for a Direct Primary, of a second election or other election device to arrive at the real choice of the voters. (Proportional Representation Review, October 1922)

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What is STV?

From a 1902 reform magazine: "Thinking it well to have in every number something by way of a brief explanation of proportional voting, I repeat in this number the following. Proportional representation means the use of a reasonable and scientific system of voting instead of the present stupid, unfair and inefficient procedure. Methods: There are several systems by which the principle of proportional representation may be given effect to. Large electoral districts, each electing several members, are a necessary feature. The "quota" plan is usually employed. It means that a quota of the votes elects one representative. To arrive at the quota, the number of valid votes cast is divided by the number of seats to be filled. For instance in a seven-member district any one-seventh of the voters could elect one representative and the other six-sevenths could not interfere with their choice. The three principal systems of proportional representation are the Free List as used in Switzerland and Belgium [party-list pro-rep], the Hare system as used in Tasmania [STV], and the Gove System as advocated in Massachusetts. The Preferential Vote [Alternative Voting/Instant Run-off Voting] -- This is used in the election of single officers such as a mayor. It is not strictly a form of pro-rep but is akin thereto, and uses part of the same voting methods. The object of preferential voting is to encourage the free nomination of candidates and to obtain always a clear majority at one balloting, no matter how many candidates are nominated." (From the Proportional Representation Review Dec. 1902, p. 77) (Hathi Trust online resource, page 81/180) ----------------------------------------------- Thanks for reading. Check out my blog "list of Montopedia blogs concerning electoral reform" to find other blogs on this important subject. ----------------------------------- This year: *Alberta is celebrating 150 years in Confederation 1870-2020 *100th Anniversary of STV first being used to elect legislators in Canada Winnipeg MLAs first elected through STV in 1920 ==============================================================

Thanks for reading.

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