Run-Offs
The Run-Off system is sometimes called the “Two-Round System” or “Double-Ballot” system. In a Run-Off system, the first round is conducted in the same way as a normal First-Past-the-Post election.
Overview of Method:
A. If a candidate receives an absolute majority of the vote, then they are elected outright, with no need for a second ballot.
B. If, however, no candidate receives an absolute majority, then a second round of voting is conducted, and the winner of this round is declared elected. Where second ballot systems are used the number of candidates eligible to enter the second election is restricted.
(i) For example only the two candidates who receive the highest vote may enter the run-off. This option produces a result that is truly majoritarian, in that one of the two candidates will necessarily achieve an absolute majority of votes and be declared the winner.
(ii) Another solution is to set a percentage threshold (for instance 20%) – so only candidates receiving over that set percentage of the vote can enter the run-off. Whoever wins the highest numbers of votes in the second round is then declared elected, regardless of whether they have won an absolute majority or not. Unlike straight majority-runoff, this system is not truly majoritarian, since – if there are many candidates contesting the second round – the winner may get under 50%.
Advantages:
The second ballot system prevents the election of any candidate without a majority of the vote, thus ensuring that the winner can claim a “mandate” from the whole party.
Disadvantages:
However, the second ballot system introduces a complication into the voting system. The requirement for a second ballot results in greater expense for the candidates involved, greater inconvenience to the electors by requiring them to vote on two separate occasions, and delays the result of the election - causing uncertainty. The requirement for a second ballot may also influence the final result as electors may use the first ballot as a form of protest vote. Such a protest vote could unintentionally unseat a candidate who most members wanted to remain in the second contest.
The Exhaustive Method:
Usually in a run-off, the two rounds are often just a week or a fortnight apart. But in a party preselection, second rounds can often be run on the same day or subsequent days. This is common where there are a limited number of party members voting, for instance where delegates gather to select candidates at a conference.
Where the number of voting members is few, the run-off system is sometimes operated in a deliberately slow fashion, with just one candidate being deleted at a time. The advantage of this slower method, is that it allows party members to interview remaining contestants every time they delete a nominee from the pool. This elimination process is known as the “exhaustive” method. It would be impractical for public general elections, but is very appropriate for a party which wants a careful and deliberative method of choosing candidates. This process helps to ensure that the final selection of candidate is has been thoroughly thought out. The downside of “exhaustive” voting is that it can be literally exhausting for party members, often requiring a whole day of alternating between interviewing candidates and voting.
Sample Constitutional Template:
Completion of Ballot Papers
1. The Returning Officer shall see that a ballot paper bearing the number of the ballot and is received by each voting member participating in the preselection.
2. Each voting member voting shall then write on that ballot paper a single preference against the name of the one Candidate for whom he wishes to vote. If there is only one candidate, each voting member shall write "yes" or "no" on that ballot paper to indicate whether that candidate shall be declared elected.
3. Each voting member voting shall be responsible for seeing that his ballot paper is in the ballot box. When all the papers are in the ballot box or when the time for voting has expired, the votes shall then be counted by the Returning Officer and the scrutineers.
Method for Counting Exhaustive Ballots
4. A ballot paper is informal on which:
(a) a preference is not placed against the name of a candidate or is placed against the name of more than one candidate; or
(b) it cannot be determined for which candidate the preference is recorded.
5. If any candidate receives an absolute majority of formal votes cast, he shall be declared the selected candidate. Where the number of formal votes cast is an even number, an absolute majority shall be half the number plus one; where the number of formal votes cast is an odd number, an absolute majority shall be half the number, plus one half.
6. A scrutineer may, at the end of any ballot, request the Returning Officer to re-examine and recount all or any of the papers dealt with during that ballot, and the Returning Officer shall forthwith re-examine and recount such papers. However, the Returning Officer is not obliged to recount the same ballot papers more than once. No alteration of the dispositions of the papers shall be made at the end of a recount except to correct errors discovered in the recount.
7. After each occasion a vote is conducted the number of votes received by each candidate or which were cast in the affirmative or the negative (as the case requires) will be announced to the meeting.
8. If there is only one candidate, and a majority of formal votes are cast in the negative, then the position will be declared not filled and the candidate shall be selected by the Party Executive pursuant to clause _ _.
Elimination of Candidates
9. If no candidate has an absolute majority of formal votes cast any candidate receiving less than, or equal to, 10% of the number of formal votes cast shall be eliminated.
10. Where no candidate is eliminated by force of clause 9, the candidate with the fewest number of votes shall be eliminated.
11. After the elimination of a candidate or candidates in accordance with clause 9 and 10 inclusive, the Returning Officer shall distribute a ballot paper bearing the number of the next ballot to each voting member participating in the preselection. The Returning Officer shall then instruct all voting members to strike out the names of all candidates eliminated in previous rounds. The selection shall proceed in accordance with the foregoing Rules.
12. (a) Where two or more candidates not covered by Rules 9 and 10 receive an equal number of votes and each such candidate receives fewer votes than any other remaining candidate, then each voting member voting shall write on a fresh ballot paper a single preference against the name of the one tieing Candidate he prefers.
(b) The tieing candidate who receives least votes shall be eliminated.
(c) Where an equality of elimination votes prevents such elimination, the procedures described in rules 1 to 10 inclusive shall be repeated with all candidates remaining in the ballot (including the tieing candidates) other than previously eliminated candidates.
13. If three failures to break the same "tie" occur, the names of the tieing candidates shall be placed in a container and one shall be withdrawn by the Chairman. The candidate whose name is withdrawn shall be eliminated.
14. The procedures described in the foregoing Rules shall be continued as necessary until one candidate has received an absolute majority, in which event he shall be declared the selected candidate.
Recall of Candidates
15. At any time during the conduct of the ballot, the meeting may resolve by a simple majority to recall those candidates remaining in the ballot to hear them speak further. The meeting may request further speeches, or ask questions.
Selection of More Than One Candidate
16. Where more than one candidate is to be elected, the meeting will choose the candidate for each position in separate rounds of voting, commencing with the voting for candidate to be ranked highest on the party ticket.
Ceasation of Voting
17. The voting will cease where:
(a) The Preselection Meeting has selected all the candidates required to be chosen; or
(b) More than half the votes cast are marked "none of the above"; or
(c) At any time a member moves "that voting cease". When such a motion is moved, and duly seconded, the Returning Officer shall immediately put the question, without debate. A question that the Preselection cease shall be determined by a show of hands. Where more than half the voters present vote in favour of the proposition, the voting shall cease.
18. If the voting is ceased before the Preselection Meeting has selected all the candidates required to be chosen, then the remaining candidate(s) shall be selected by the Party Executive pursuant to clause _ _.
Alternative Voting Systems:
See Choosing a Voting System