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  1. Politics
31 March 2011

How complicated is AV?

Surprisingly simple compared to first-past-the-post.

By Duncan Robinson

Critics of AV have leapt on the results of a mock election on Radio 5 Live yesterday. The poll failed to return a candidate that had the support of more than 50 per cent of the electorate. That AV would provide a candidate with the support of the majority was one of the main selling points of AV. Alas, this is not always the case.

The exercise, however, shouldn’t mask the good bits of AV, least of all its simplicity in flowchart form, as Anthony Smith demonstrates below.

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AV: it’s simpler than you think.

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Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com Our Thursday ideas newsletter, delving into philosophy, criticism, and intellectual history. The best way to sign up for The Salvo is via thesalvo.substack.com Stay up to date with NS events, subscription offers & updates. Weekly analysis of the shift to a new economy from the New Statesman's Spotlight on Policy team. The best way to sign up for The Green Transition is via spotlightonpolicy.substack.com
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