Block voting, also known as bloc voting, refers to certain electoral systems where multiple candidates are elected simultaneously. They do not guarantee minority representation and allow a group of voters (a voting bloc) to ensure that only their preferred candidates are elected. In these systems, a voter can select as many candidates as there are open seats. That is, the voter has as many votes to cast as the number of seats to fill.[1] The block voting systems are among various election systems available for use in multi-member districts where the voting system allows for the selection of multiple winners at once.

Block voting falls under the multiple non-transferable vote category, a term often used interchangeably with this term. Block voting may be also associated with the concept of majoritarian representation in multi-winner electoral systems or the plurality election method.

Block voting encompasses two primary types: plurality block voting and majority block voting. The former only requires a plurality to elect candidates, while the latter necessitates candidates to secure support from a majority (more than half) of the electorate for election.

In both plurality block voting and majority block voting, voters can choose up to n candidates for n open positions, and under plurality block voting, the n candidates with the most votes are elected and fill the positions.

Other variations of block voting include block approval voting, partial block voting (also known as limited voting), and party block voting (also termed as the general ticket). Block voting is often juxtaposed with proportional representation, where the aim is to ensure that each voter's vote carries equal weight. In contrast, block voting tends to favor the most popular party, resulting in a potential landslide victory.

Terminology

The term "plurality at-large" is common in representative elections where members represent an entire body (such as a city, state, province, or nation). In multi-member electoral districts, the system is often referred to as "block voting" or the "bloc vote." This article's description of block voting specifically pertains to "unlimited voting," unlike "limited voting," where voters have fewer votes than the available seats. The term "block voting" may also refer to a simple plurality election of slates (electoral lists) in multi-member districts.

Types of block voting

Multiple winners are typically elected simultaneously in one non-transferable round of voting. In some cases, multiple non-transferable voting (MNTV) appears in a runoff or two-round version, as seen in certain local elections in France, where candidates without an absolute majority are thinned out before a second round. In such instances, it is more accurately labeled as "majority-at-large voting."

Plurality block voting (BV)

In a block voting election, all candidates compete for m positions, often referred to as the district magnitude. Each voter selects up to m candidates on the ballot.[2] The m candidates with the most votes, but not necessarily a majority, are elected and fill the positions.[3]

Majority-at-large voting / Two-round block voting

The majority-at-large voting is a variation of plurality-at-large voting, but where no candidate receives a majority, the field of candidates is thinned out before a second round.

General ticket / Party block voting (PBV)

Party block voting (PBV) or the general ticket is the party-list version of block voting. In contrast to the classic block vote, where candidates may stand as non-partisan and some minority nominations can theoretically succeed, PBV associates each candidate with a party list voted on by electors, often leading to a landslide outcome. The Parliament of Singapore uses this system for most of its elections.

Block approval voting

Block approval voting permits every voter to vote for any number of candidates, provided that they do not vote more than once for the same candidate. Block voting, specifically plurality block voting, is compared with preferential block voting as both often produce landslide victories for similar candidates. Instead of checkboxes, preferential block voting utilizes a preferential ballot, making it a multiple transferable vote rather than a multiple non-transferable vote. Under both systems, a slate of the top preferred candidate and their clones typically secures every available seat.

Similar voting systems

Limited voting (LV) / Partial block voting

Partial block voting, also known as limited voting, operates similarly to plurality-at-large voting. However, in partial block voting, each voter casts fewer votes than the number of candidates to be elected. This process enables reasonably sized minorities to achieve some representation, preventing a simple plurality from sweeping every seat. Partial bloc voting is employed in elections to the Gibraltar Parliament, allowing each voter ten votes for seventeen open seats. The typical outcome sees the most popular party winning ten seats and forming the ruling administration. In contrast, the second-most popular party secures seven seats to form the opposition. The Spanish Senate also adopts partial block voting, offering four seats per constituency, with each voter casting three votes. Historically, three- and four-member constituencies in the United Kingdom used partial block voting until the abolition of multimember constituencies.

With fewer votes per voter, the threshold to win decreases under partial block voting, making the results more akin to proportional representation, provided voters and candidates use effective strategies.[4] Extreme cases, where each voter casts only one vote, equate to the single non-transferable vote. However, such scenarios may result in wasted votes and unfair outcomes due to vote-splitting (albeit likely more balanced than elections under Block Voting). Consequently, the proportion of votes necessary to win a seat under SNTV may be notably small. Single transferable voting (STV) is more systematic, resulting in fewer wasted votes. With STV, the Droop quota typically guarantees victory, although one or two contestants may be elected with less than that quota.[5]

Examples of voting systems

Plurality block voting and majority block voting

Consider a scenario with 12 candidates in a 3-member district among 10,000 voters. Both plurality block voting and majority block voting allow voters to cast three votes (although they need not use all three) but restrict voting to one vote per candidate.

Party A garners roughly 35% support among the electorate, Party B secures around 25%, and the remaining voters mainly support independent candidates but lean toward Party B if compelled to choose between the two parties. Assuming all voters cast their votes sincerely and avoid tactical voting, the following tabulation elucidates the outcomes:

Candidate Party Block approval voting Limited block approval voting Plurality block voting Limited (block) voting Single non-transferable vote
Votes % Elected? Votes % Elected? Votes % Elected? Votes % Elected? Votes % Elected?
Candidate A1 Party A 4200 42% 8. 4000 40% 5. 3555 36% 3. Yes 1800 18% 4. 800 8% 4.
Candidate A2 Party A 4500 45% 5. 4100 40% 4. 3700 37% 1. Yes 3500 35% 1. Yes 1900 19% 1. Yes
Candidate A3 Party A 3900 39% 9. 3800 40% 7. 3600 36% 2. Yes 2000 20% 2. Yes 700 7% 9.
Candidate B1 Party B 5200 52% 1. Yes 4900 49% 1. Yes 2600 26% 4. 1750 18% 5. 900 9% 3. Yes
Candidate B2 Party B 5000 50% 2. Yes 4600 46% 3. Yes 2500 25% 5. 1950 20% 3. Yes 1100 11% 2. Yes
Candidate B3 Party B 4700 47% 4. 4200 42% 2. Yes 2400 24% 6. 1425 14% 7. 400 4% 12.
Candidate I1 Independent 4400 44% 6. 3800 38% 7. 2300 23% 8. 1400 14% 8. 800 8% 4.
Candidate I2 Independent 4900 49% 3. Yes 4000 40% 5. 2395 20% 7. 1500 15% 6. 800 8% 4.
Candidate I3 Independent 4400 44% 6. 3700 37% 9. 1900 19% 9. 1300 13% 9. 700 7% 7.
Candidate I4 Independent 3900 39% 9. 3200 32% 10. 1800 18% 10. 1200 12% 10. 700 7% 7.
Candidate I5 Independent 2600 26% 11. 2000 20% 11. 650 7% 11. 625 6% 11. 600 6% 10.
Candidate I6 Independent 2300 23% 12. 1700 17% 12. 600 6% 12. 550 6% 12. 500 5% 11.

In the second round, voters of independent candidates can vote for candidates of party B. As even fewer voters cast all their 3 votes, even in the second round, some winners do technically win with a majority, but only a plurality in fact (similar to differences between turnout levels in two-round voting).

Block voting and approval block voting

A 3-member district with 10,000 voters features 12 candidates. Block voting allows each voter to cast only one vote for a single candidate.

  • Under unlimited block approval voting, voters can select any number of candidates.
  • Under limited block approval voting, voters can cast up to six votes, twice the number of winners.
  • Under plurality block voting, voters can cast up to three votes, though it's not mandatory.
  • Under limited (block) voting, voters can cast a maximum of two votes.
  • Under the single non-transferable vote (which is not block voting), voters can cast only one vote.

Party A has an approximate 35% electorate support, notably due to one well-received candidate. Party B holds around 25% backing, comprising two popular candidates. The remaining voters primarily favor independent candidates, but tend to lean towards Party B if pressed to choose between the two main parties. All voters engage in sincere voting with no tactical influence.

Candidate Party Block approval voting Limited block approval voting Plurality block voting Limited (block) voting Single non-transferable vote
Votes % Elected? Votes % Elected? Votes % Elected? Votes % Elected? Votes % Elected?
Candidate A1 Party A 4200 42% 8. 4000 40% 5. 3555 36% 3. Yes 1800 18% 4. 800 8% 4.
Candidate A2 Party A 4500 45% 5. 4100 40% 4. 3700 37% 1. Yes 3500 35% 1. Yes 1900 19% 1. Yes
Candidate A3 Party A 3900 39% 9. 3800 40% 7. 3600 36% 2. Yes 2000 20% 2. Yes 700 7% 9.
Candidate B1 Party B 5200 52% 1. Yes 4900 49% 1. Yes 2600 26% 4. 1750 18% 5. 900 9% 3. Yes
Candidate B2 Party B 5000 50% 2. Yes 4600 46% 3. Yes 2500 25% 5. 1950 20% 3. Yes 1100 11% 2. Yes
Candidate B3 Party B 4700 47% 4. 4200 42% 2. Yes 2400 24% 6. 1425 14% 7. 400 4% 12.
Candidate I1 Independent 4400 44% 6. 3800 38% 7. 2300 23% 8. 1400 14% 8. 800 8% 4.
Candidate I2 Independent 4900 49% 3. Yes 4000 40% 5. 2395 20% 7. 1500 15% 6. 800 8% 4.
Candidate I3 Independent 4400 44% 6. 3700 37% 9. 1900 19% 9. 1300 13% 9. 700 7% 7.
Candidate I4 Independent 3900 39% 9. 3200 32% 10. 1800 15% 10 1200 12% 10. 700 7% 7.
Candidate I5 Independent 2600 26% 11. 2000 20% 11. 650 7% 11. 625 6% 11. 600 6% 10.
Candidate I6 Independent 2300 23% 12. 1700 17% 12. 600 6% 12. 550 6% 12. 500 5% 11.
TOTAL votes cast 50000 44000 28000 19000 10000
TOTAL possible votes 120000 60000 30000 20000 10000
Voters 10000 100% 10000 100% 10000 100% 10000 100% 10000 100%
  • Under the single non-transferable vote, the three most popular candidates based on voters' initial preferences are elected, irrespective of party affiliation.
  • In limited voting, it is probable that the party with a plurality secures two seats (reflecting the number of votes each voter has), while the minority party gains the remaining seats.
  • Plurality block voting generally results in the party with the most support winning all available seats.
  • Limited block approval voting allows independent candidates' supporters to use their additional votes to assist candidates other than their top three choices, possibly leading to a reversal of the outcome observed in plurality block voting.
  • Block approval voting permits any popular party-affiliated or independent candidates to be elected, but it's plausible that nearly half of the population might not have a representative elected.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ "Ballotpedia". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  2. ↑ Sanok, Ann (19 October 2007). "EEE victim's memory celebrated at benefit". blueridgenow.com. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  3. ↑ Reynolds, Andrew; Reilly, Ben; Ellis, Andrew (2005). Electoral System Design: The New International IDEA Handbook. Stockholm, Sweden: International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance. p. 44. ISBN 978-91-85391-18-9. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Limited Voting, Cumulative Voting and Choice Voting: A Comparison of Three Alternative Voting Systems". fairvote.org. Archived from the original on November 18, 2008.
  5. ↑ "2020 Vanuatuan general election".

References

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