STV 4+ : a proportional system for Malta’s electoral process

Abstract

A recurring problem in Malta’s Single Transferable Vote (STV) is the mismatch between the percentage of first preference votes a party wins nationwide and the corresponding percentage of seats it ends up with in parliament. In this paper we discuss how ‘disproportionality’ arises and propose the STV 4+ system, to restore proportionality whilst retaining STV as the basis for electing candidates. We describe how the divisor method can be used to implement an STV 4+ system, whereby a Maltese General Election is implemented conceptually as an Additional Member System (AMS). The Maltese General Election of 2008 is taken as an example. We believe that this fair system can be implemented in Malta and other countries that have experience with STV elections.