What do Rodney Hide, John Banks and Len Browne have in common?
They all agree that STV - Single Transferable Vote - is the best method to elect the mayor of Auckland.
Under STV, voters rank the candidates 1, 2, 3 ... If a candidate receives 50% or more of the votes, he or she is elected. If not, voter's second choices are transferred until a candidate gets over the 50% threshold. The elected mayor therefore enjoys the support of the majority of voters.
John Banks and Len Browne could receive a similar number of votes. Under First Past the Post a one vote margin could conceivably decide the mayoralty resulting in a minority mayor being elected.
The government has chosen to stay with FPP in Auckland on the basis that Auckland is already undergoing enough change. Given the importance of this election it would be an opportune time to adopt a fairer system.
They all agree that STV - Single Transferable Vote - is the best method to elect the mayor of Auckland.
Under STV, voters rank the candidates 1, 2, 3 ... If a candidate receives 50% or more of the votes, he or she is elected. If not, voter's second choices are transferred until a candidate gets over the 50% threshold. The elected mayor therefore enjoys the support of the majority of voters.
John Banks and Len Browne could receive a similar number of votes. Under First Past the Post a one vote margin could conceivably decide the mayoralty resulting in a minority mayor being elected.
The government has chosen to stay with FPP in Auckland on the basis that Auckland is already undergoing enough change. Given the importance of this election it would be an opportune time to adopt a fairer system.
