Possible changes to the voting system for electing County Councillors

Cyngor Gwynedd has decide to hold a public consultation on changing the voting system for electing Gwynedd Councillors. 

The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (Section 5), gives councils the right to choose between two voting systems:  

Simple Majority System (first past the post), which is the current system, OR

Single Transferable Vote System (proportional representation)

Both systems are explained below: 

 

Simple Majority System  

  1. An elector chooses one candidate (or more in some Wards) from the ballot paper by putting a cross in the box. 
  2. One candidate (or more in some Wards) is elected Councillor for the Ward. 
  3. The candidate who receives the most votes is elected. 
  4. This is the system currently used for Cyngor Gwynedd elections. 

 

Single Transferable Vote System 

  1. Voters rank candidates on the ballot paper in order of preference, using numbers – their favourite as number 1, their second favourite as number 2 and so on. A voter can number all candidates on the ballot paper, just a few or only one.
  2. This system operates on a larger Ward basis with between 3 and 6 Councillors representing each Ward. 
  3. Candidates are elected by reaching a certain quota of votes which is determined by dividing the total number of votes cast in the Ward with the number of seats available. 
  4. Candidates who reach or pass the quota will be elected. If there are seats left, surplus votes from the successful candidates and the votes of those candidates at the bottom of the results list are re-distributed to other candidates (using the elector's order of preference), until all seats are filled.
  5. For more information you can watch a simple video explaining the proces 

 

How is Cyngor Gwynedd going to decide what to do?  

If Cyngor Gwynedd wants to move to a Single Transferable Vote System for the next Council Election in 2027, a decision must be made before 15 November 2024.  

The Full Council will make a final decision at a special meeting in October 2024.  

Before deciding to keep the current system (Simple Majority System) or switch to a new system (Single Transferable Vote), we are consulting with the electorate of Gwynedd to see what you think.

 

How can I give my opinion?

The consultation period has ended. The results will be available soon. Close

 

What will happen next?

All responses from Gwynedd voters will be analysed, and the results presented as part of a report to the Full Council on 24 October 2024, to help Councillors make their decision. 

 

Background document 

Full Council December 2023, Item 11: Option to Adopt Single Transferable Vote System for Cyngor Gwynedd Elections