The top 5 most-read ERS articles from 2022Every year we have a look through the stats to see which of our articles were the most popular with readers in the year coming to a close. So if you missed them the first...Posted 15 Dec 2022
The 2022 Welsh Local Elections and the case for STVOn May 5th 2022 voters went to the polls in Wales to elect councillors for all 22 local authorities. These were not the only elections held that day; Northern Ireland held an Assembly election and...Posted 15 Nov 2022
A wave of cities across the United States switch to fair voting systemsThis week’s big electoral story is America’s midterm elections and the failure of the predicted ‘Red Wave’ to materialise. However, an underreported story has been the high number of cities that accepted proposals to introduce...Posted 11 Nov 2022
Why does the Northern Ireland Assembly keep collapsing?In 1998, the Good Friday Agreement, also known as the Belfast Agreement, was reached by multi-party consensus to bring an end to the violence in Northern Ireland and establish the current political system. Unlike the...Posted 04 Nov 2022
How did the Republic of Ireland get proportional representation?Today, almost every election held on the island of Ireland uses the Single Transferable Vote (STV). Bar elections for the 18 Westminster seats from Northern Ireland – every other election, on both sides of the border,...Posted 10 Aug 2022
Do all countries have by-elections? Filling parliamentary vacancies around the worldThis Thursday (23rd June), voters in the constituencies of Tiverton and Honiton, and Wakefield go to the polls in by-elections caused by the scandal-related resignations of their previous MPs. By-elections allow voters to pick a...Posted 21 Jun 2022
Wales can lead the way and deliver a parliament fit for the 21st CenturyReform of the Senedd has been discussed since its inception. When it opened in 1999 it had just 60 members, no government function and limited powers. While the powers of the Senedd and the function...Posted 18 May 2022
How do elections work in Australia?British voters may have to wait up to five years for a general election, but, for Australians, the opportunity comes no later than every three. On Saturday 21st May, Australia’s House of Representatives and roughly...Posted 15 May 2022
The Power of Preferences: STV in Scottish Local ElectionsMuch talk of the need for electoral reform focuses on Westminster and the goal of a proportionally elected House of Commons. But while the UK Parliament, and almost all of England’s elections, are still held...Posted 26 Apr 2022
Elections Cancelled: Over 100,000 Welsh voters to be denied a voteWith elections coming up across the country, campaigners across Wales are gearing up the familiar routine of doorstep conversations, leaflets through letterboxes and trying to convince voters that their candidate deserves to be re-elected, or...Posted 13 Apr 2022