Electoral Systems Questions
The additional member system (AMS) electoral system has several disadvantages.
1. Complexity: The AMS system is often criticized for being complex and difficult for voters to understand. It involves two different types of representatives - those elected through single-member districts and those elected through party lists. This complexity can lead to confusion and potentially discourage voter participation.
2. Lack of proportionality: While the AMS system aims to provide a balance between local representation and proportionality, it can still result in a lack of proportionality. The allocation of additional seats through party lists may not accurately reflect the overall vote share of each party, leading to potential discrepancies between the popular vote and the distribution of seats.
3. Strategic voting: The AMS system can encourage strategic voting, where voters strategically choose between a candidate from a single-member district and a party list. This can lead to voters strategically voting for a candidate they may not prefer in order to maximize their party's overall representation. Strategic voting can undermine the principle of voting based on individual preferences.
4. Dominance of major parties: In some cases, the AMS system can reinforce the dominance of major parties. The single-member district component of the system often favors larger parties, while smaller parties may struggle to win seats. This can limit political diversity and representation of minority or smaller parties.
5. Potential for wasted votes: The AMS system can result in wasted votes, where votes cast for unsuccessful candidates or parties do not contribute to the overall representation. This can lead to a perception of unfairness and dissatisfaction among voters.
Overall, while the AMS system has its advantages, such as maintaining a balance between local representation and proportionality, it also has significant disadvantages that need to be considered in evaluating its effectiveness.