The Alternative Vote Explained

Summary

The video explains the differences between two voting systems: First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) and Alternative Vote (AV). Queen Lion's kingdom suffers from two-party dominance and the spoiler effect under FPTP. Wallaby introduces AV as a solution, where voters rank candidates instead of choosing just one. The video follows Red Squirrel through both systems, showing how AV eliminates strategic voting and the spoiler effect by redistributing votes from eliminated candidates until a majority winner is determined. Queen Lion adopts AV, making elections more representative and fairer.

Takeaways

• 🦁 Queen Lion introduced elections for king using the First Past the Post (FPTP) system, but it quickly led to a two-party system, limiting voter choice.
• 🐿️ Red Squirrel, a voter, prefers Turtle but ends up voting for Gorilla out of fear of Leopard, demonstrating strategic voting under FPTP.
• 🐢 The FPTP system forces voters to choose strategically, often voting for candidates they don’t fully support to prevent their least favorite from winning.
• 🦘 Wallaby introduces the Alternative Vote (AV) system, where voters can rank candidates by preference, eliminating the need for strategic voting.
• 📊 In AV, if a voter's top choice is eliminated, their vote is transferred to their next choice, ensuring broader representation.
• 🐦 After Turtle is eliminated, Red Squirrel's vote goes to Owl, showing how AV transfers votes based on preferences.
• 🔄 AV simulates multiple rounds of runoffs, eliminating the least popular candidates until one wins a majority or becomes the only one left.
• 🐯 AV prevents the spoiler effect seen in FPTP, where a third-party candidate can cause a less popular candidate to win.
• 🦉 In the end, Owl wins the election with a majority in AV, highlighting that AV tends to elect candidates more broadly supported by the voters.
• ⚖️ Both AV and FPTP have flaws, such as susceptibility to gerrymandering and not guaranteeing proportional outcomes, but AV eliminates the spoiler effect.

Q & A

What is the main problem with the first-past-the-post (FPTP) voting system mentioned in the script?

The main problem with the FPTP system is the 'spoiler effect,' where voters are forced to vote strategically to prevent a less preferred candidate from winning, rather than voting for their actual favorite candidate.

How does the 'spoiler effect' influence voting in a first-past-the-post system?

The spoiler effect forces voters to cast their vote for a candidate they believe has a better chance of winning, instead of their favorite candidate, to prevent a less desirable candidate from winning.

What alternative voting system does Wallaby propose to fix the problem in Queen Lion's kingdom?

Wallaby proposes the Alternative Vote (AV), also known as Instant Runoff Voting, as a solution to the problems caused by the first-past-the-post system.

What is the main difference between first-past-the-post (FPTP) and the Alternative Vote (AV) system?

In FPTP, voters pick only one candidate, while in the AV system, voters rank candidates in order of preference, allowing for multiple rounds of vote redistribution until a candidate wins by majority.

How does vote redistribution work in the Alternative Vote system?

In AV, if no candidate wins a majority, the least popular candidate is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed to the voters' second choices. This process continues until a candidate wins a majority.

What is 'strategic voting,' and why is it necessary in a first-past-the-post system?

Strategic voting occurs when voters choose a candidate they believe has a better chance of winning, rather than their actual favorite. It's necessary in FPTP to prevent the least preferred candidate from winning.

What advantage does the Alternative Vote system have over first-past-the-post in terms of the spoiler effect?

The Alternative Vote system eliminates the spoiler effect by allowing voters to rank candidates in order of preference. This ensures that votes are transferred to second choices, preventing the election of a less preferred candidate.

Why does the Alternative Vote system make it easier for smaller parties to grow compared to first-past-the-post?

AV allows voters to support smaller parties without fear of wasting their vote or helping elect a candidate they dislike. This encourages the growth of smaller parties by giving them a chance to compete.

What is one criticism of both first-past-the-post and Alternative Vote systems mentioned in the script?

Both systems are susceptible to gerrymandering, are not proportional, and cannot guarantee the election of a Condorcet winner (a candidate who would win against every other candidate in a head-to-head comparison).

Why do the two big parties in Queen Lion's kingdom have to campaign harder under the Alternative Vote system?

Under AV, the two big parties cannot be complacent because they need to appeal to voters across multiple preferences to win, as they might rely on being the second or third choice of voters whose first-choice candidates are eliminated.

Outlines

00:00

🦁 Queen Lion Introduces Elections but Faces Issues

Queen Lion of the Animal Kingdom is unhappy with how her elections for the position of king turned out. Initially, her realm flourished with a multi-party democracy, but it quickly devolved into a two-party system. This caused dissatisfaction among citizens who felt trapped due to the spoiler effect—a common issue in the first-past-the-post voting system. However, one of her subjects, Wallaby, suggests an alternative: the Alternative Vote system.

🐿️ Red Squirrel and the Voting Dilemma

On election day, Red Squirrel is faced with a difficult decision. Despite his support for Turtle, he is concerned that his vote may be wasted due to the two-party dominance of Gorilla and Leopard. With Gorilla being slightly more favorable to him than Leopard, Red Squirrel casts a strategic vote for Gorilla to avoid a Leopard victory. This scenario illustrates the strategic voting problem that occurs in the first-past-the-post system.

🗳️ Wallaby Explains the Alternative Vote

Wallaby introduces Red Squirrel to the Alternative Vote system, which allows voters to rank candidates by preference. Red Squirrel ranks Turtle as his first choice, Owl second, and Gorilla third, without choosing Leopard or Tiger. This method eliminates the need for strategic voting, as voters can freely rank their preferences.

📊 How Votes Are Counted in the Alternative Vote System

The counting process begins with Turtle being eliminated as the least popular candidate. Votes for Turtle are transferred to the voters' second choices, like Owl. As the process continues, Tiger is eliminated, with Leopard gaining Tiger’s votes. Finally, Gorilla is eliminated, and Owl wins by obtaining the majority of remaining votes. This process shows how the Alternative Vote system simulates multiple rounds of voting without the need for additional elections.

⚖️ Advantages of the Alternative Vote System

The Alternative Vote system ensures that a candidate with broader support from voters is elected. Though it shares certain flaws with the first-past-the-post system—like susceptibility to gerrymandering and an eventual trend toward two-party rule—Alternative Vote eliminates the spoiler effect. In a hypothetical scenario where a third-party candidate enters the race, AV prevents the fragmentation of votes that could lead to an unpopular candidate's victory.

👑 Queen Lion Adopts the Alternative Vote System

After examining the differences, Queen Lion declares the Alternative Vote system as the new standard for electing the king. This decision brings more satisfaction to the citizens, although the major political parties now face the challenge of needing to work harder for votes. The system encourages the growth of smaller parties and reduces voter fears of inadvertently supporting a disliked candidate.

Keywords

💡First-Past-The-Post (FPTP)

First-Past-The-Post is a voting system where voters select one candidate, and the candidate with the most votes wins. In the script, Red Squirrel must choose between Gorilla and Leopard, and although he prefers Turtle, he votes strategically for Gorilla to prevent Leopard from winning. The system is criticized for encouraging strategic voting and leading to a two-party dominance.

💡Spoiler Effect

The spoiler effect occurs when a third-party candidate divides votes, allowing a less popular candidate to win. In the script, Red Squirrel is worried that voting for Turtle could help Leopard win. The Alternative Vote system is introduced as a solution to this issue, as it allows voters to rank candidates and avoid splitting votes in a way that disadvantages their preferred major candidate.

💡Alternative Vote (AV)

The Alternative Vote system, also known as Instant Runoff Voting, allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate wins a majority in the first round, the least popular candidates are eliminated, and their votes are redistributed based on second choices. The script illustrates this process with Red Squirrel ranking Turtle, Owl, and Gorilla, and shows how AV eliminates the spoiler effect by transferring votes to remaining candidates.

💡Strategic Voting

Strategic voting happens when voters select a candidate not because they fully support them, but to prevent a less desired candidate from winning. Red Squirrel, although preferring Turtle, votes for Gorilla to avoid a victory by Leopard, whom he fears. This practice is common under First-Past-The-Post, but AV aims to reduce its necessity by letting voters express their true preferences without wasting votes.

💡Runoff

A runoff is an additional round of voting where candidates with fewer votes are eliminated and their votes are redistributed until one candidate has a majority. In the script, the AV system simulates multiple runoffs without holding separate elections, as Turtle and Tiger are eliminated, and their votes are transferred to other candidates until Owl wins a majority.

💡Majority

A majority means winning more than 50% of the votes. In the script, no candidate initially receives a majority, so the AV process continues until one candidate (Owl) gathers more than half of the votes after the elimination of Turtle, Tiger, and Gorilla. This ensures that the winner has broader support compared to just having the most votes under First-Past-The-Post.

💡Two-Party System

A two-party system is a political environment dominated by two major parties, often caused by First-Past-The-Post elections. The script shows how Red Squirrel is forced to choose between the two main candidates, Gorilla and Leopard, while smaller parties like Turtle and Owl have little chance of winning under this system. AV helps break this pattern by encouraging voters to support smaller parties without the fear of wasting their votes.

💡Gerrymandering

Gerrymandering refers to manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor a particular party. The script briefly mentions that both First-Past-The-Post and Alternative Vote are susceptible to gerrymandering, even though the main focus is on the spoiler effect and vote distribution. Gerrymandering can distort electoral outcomes, but it is not directly addressed by changing the voting system.

💡Condorcet Winner

A Condorcet winner is a candidate who would win against each of the other candidates in one-on-one comparisons. The script mentions that neither First-Past-The-Post nor Alternative Vote guarantees a Condorcet winner, which is a common criticism among advocates of more mathematically rigorous voting methods. However, AV is still presented as a better option for minimizing the spoiler effect.

💡Proportional Representation

Proportional Representation is a voting system where the number of seats a party wins is proportional to the number of votes it receives. The script notes that neither First-Past-The-Post nor Alternative Vote are proportional systems, meaning they do not ensure that the election results reflect the overall preferences of all voters. This highlights a limitation of AV, despite its advantages over First-Past-The-Post.

Highlights

Queen Lion introduces elections for the office of king using the First Past the Post voting system.

Despite starting with many parties, the realm devolves into a two-party system, a common issue with First Past the Post.

The spoiler effect traps voters, making them choose between two parties they may not like.

Wallaby proposes the Alternative Vote system as a solution to the spoiler effect problem.

In the Alternative Vote system, voters rank candidates in order of preference instead of selecting just one.

Red Squirrel, a voter, ranks Turtle as first choice, Owl second, and Gorilla third, showing how preferences are accounted for.

The Alternative Vote eliminates the least popular candidates in rounds until one candidate secures a majority.

The process simulates multiple elections where the least popular candidate is eliminated each round, ensuring more reflective results.

After Turtle and Tiger are eliminated, Owl wins the majority and becomes king, as Gorilla is also eliminated.

The Alternative Vote produces winners that are more broadly accepted by voters compared to First Past the Post.

Alternative Vote prevents the spoiler effect, allowing voters to support smaller parties without harming their top preferences.

Even with flaws such as susceptibility to gerrymandering, Alternative Vote is still mathematically superior to First Past the Post.

A scenario demonstrates that in First Past the Post, Gorilla could win with less voter support, while Alternative Vote ensures Leopard wins, as the majority prefers her.

Alternative Vote encourages the growth of smaller parties, giving voters more diverse choices.

Queen Lion decrees that Alternative Vote will replace First Past the Post in the kingdom, improving elections and forcing larger parties to campaign harder.

Transcripts

Queen Lion of the Animal Kingdom is displeased. She recently introduced elections for the

office of king using the first post the post voting system.

While her Realm started out as a healthy democracy with many parties running candidates for king,

it quickly devolved into two party rule, with the citizens not liking either one but trapped

within the system because of a problem called the spoiler effect.

However, one of Queen Lion’s subjects from a distant land, Wallaby, has a solution: The

Alternative Vote. What’s the difference?

To find out, lets follow one voter on election day, Red Squirrel, under both systems.

There are five candidates running for king, two members of the big parties Gorilla and

Leopard and three other candidates, Turtle, Owl and Tiger.

Under first-past-the-post Red Squirrel gets a ballot where he picks just one candidate.

Red Squirrel Really likes Turtle and even campaigned for him. However he knows that

his new neighbor, Grey Squirrel, is voting Gorilla.

And what, starts to wonder Red Squirrel, about all the other animals? Who are they going

to vote for? The debates on Animal News Network only had

the big parties, so Red Squirrel thinks it’s going to be a close race between Gorilla and

Leopard. While he’s indifferent toward Gorilla he

is deathly afraid of Leopard. Because he can only pick a single candidate,

he gives his one vote to Gorilla in hopes of preventing Leopard from becoming king.

This is strategic voting, and it’s a necessity under First Past the Post.

But now it’s time to look at the Alternative Vote, which wallaby explains to Red Squirrel.

Instead of picking one and only one candidate, he can rank them in order of his most favorite

to his least. He goes into the voting both and gets the

same ballot as before, but now puts Turtle as his first choice, Owl as his second and

Gorilla, third. He dislikes Leopard and Tiger equally so he

stops filling in his ballot and drops it in the box.

At this point, Red Squirrel doesn’t care exactly what happens, he has other things

on his mind and heads off. But you, dear citizen, want to know how the votes are counted so

here goes: Turtle, beloved though he is with some of

the citizenry, comes in last place with only 5% and he is eliminated from the race.

Because the voters ranked their candidates in order, we can know what would have happened

if Turtle didn’t run. Without Turtle, voters like Red Squirrel,

would have picked Owl instead, so their votes are transferred to her as though Turtle was

never in the race at all. This is why Alternative Vote is sometimes

called Instant Runoff Voting. It’s able to simulate a bunch of elections where the

least popular candidate is eliminated after each round without all the time and expense

it would take to run a bunch of campaigns, one after another.

The Alternative Vote method keeps eliminated the least popular candidate until someone

either wins a majority or is the only one left.

As no one has a majority yet, the next lowest candidate, Tiger, is eliminated. Tiger voters

listed leopard as their second choice, so she gets Tiger’s votes.

In the last round, Gorilla is eliminated. Gorilla voters listed Owl as their second

choice, so Owl gets those votes, wins a majority, so is crowed king.

The alternative vote is a better system because it produces winners that a larger number of

voters agree on. While the Alternative Vote does have flaws

it’s important to note that any problem AV has, first past the post shares.

They’re both susceptible to gerrymandering, they aren’t proportional systems, they can’t

guarantee a Condorcet winner (which math geeks hate but there isn’t time to explain here),

and over time they both trend toward two main parties.

That being said, Alternative Vote has a huge advantage that first past the post lacks and

makes it a mathematically superior method: no spoiler effect!

Imagine this election: the two big candidates are running, Gorilla and Leopard, and Leopard

looks set to win 55% to 45%. But then a third party candidate, Tiger, enters.

Tiger manages to convince 15% of the Leopard voters to back him. Now the results are:

Under first past the post, gorilla now wins even though a majority of the voters didn’t

want him. Under the Alternative Vote, because all Tiger

voters put Leopard as second choice, Leopard still wins because a majority of the citizens

of the animal kingdom would rather have her in charge than gorilla.

With AV citizens can help support and grow smaller parties that they agree without worrying

they’ll put someone they don’t like into office.

After examining the differences, Queen Lion decrees that the Alternative Vote is to be

the rule of the land for electing the king and everyone is happier. …well almost everyone.

The two big parties can’t be complacent and need to campaign harder for their votes.

This has been The Alternative Vote Explained by me C. G. P. Grey.

Thank you very much for watching.