The single transferable voting system in European elections in Ireland and Malta

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the impact of the Single Transferable Voting (STV) system on European Parliament (EP) elections in Ireland and Malta, the only two EU member states to use the STV for these elections. It explores how the STV shapes voter behaviour and electoral outcomes and assesses the extent to which it mitigates or reinforces the characteristics of second-order elections as outlined by Reif and Schmitt (1980). The STV system is distinctive for its preferential ranking, candidate-centric nature, and proportional outcomes achieved through mechanisms such as the Droop quota and vote transfers. These features arguably empower voters, reduce vote wastage, and enable a more accurate reflection of voter preferences. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis of election data from the 2019 and 2024 EP elections with qualitative examination of campaign framing, electoral systems, and national contexts. Ireland and Malta serve as comparative case studies due to their shared use of the STV, yet divergent political landscapes: Ireland features a more fragmented party system, while Malta maintains a dominant two-party dynamic. The findings reveal that although both countries exhibit second-order election characteristics, such as lower turnout compared to national elections and voter punishment of popular parties, the STV can mitigate some of these effects by enhancing voter choice and representational accuracy. However, the degree to which the STV offsets second-order trends is strongly conditioned by national context. In Ireland, the STV supports greater voter fluidity and success for smaller parties and independents. In Malta, by contrast, partisan loyalty and strategic voting reduce the system’s impact on diversifying outcomes. Ultimately, this dissertation concludes that while the STV system introduces mechanisms that can counteract second-order election tendencies, it does not fully eliminate them. Its effectiveness depends not only on its technical features but also on how political culture and electoral strategies interact with its design. The study contributes to the broader understanding of electoral systems, democratic participation, and the relevance of institutional frameworks in shaping electoral dynamics in the European Union (EU).