PRSA

New on the PRSA website: We’d all like our governments to represent us, the people. Unfortunately the method we use to elect our governments doesn’t deliver representation that matches the diversity of views found in the electorate. #PR_STV #STV #auspol represent.org.au

Preference distribution for Finniss. IND Lou Nicholson started in 4th, reached 3rd passing Labor on Lewis (IND) prefs, reached 2nd on Green prefs, 1st place on Labor prefs and victory confirmed on final exclusion of One Nation. Link to blog in first comment. #savotes

Not intending to start discourse about preferential voting here, but it looks like we'll get (I believe?) for the first time in history, a seat winner from 4th place in primary votes - with the independent in Finniss.

Turnout in yesterday's general election in Denmark - which uses PR - was 83.7%. In the UK in 2024, it was just 60%. People are more motivated to vote when they know their voice will be heard. That's another reason to scrap First Past the Post.

Me: “Grumbling about the mismatch is like complaining that the caesar salad you ordered tastes nothing like ice cream…If you want to eat ice cream, that’s what you need to order: if you want proportional outcomes, you should use a proportional system.” inside.org.au/not-what-the-v…

@k_mahlburg Opposition status is determined by bums on seats at the end of the count not primary votes.

A reminder to right-wingers: The reason the Liberals and One Nation have won very few seats with a combined 40% of the vote is not because of preferential voting, but because we use single-member districts. Be useful and start calling for proportional representation!

Social media is naturally awash right now with calls for the abolition of preferential voting, which would do precisely nothing to address the issue being raised. Yet to be see in the wild (by me at least): a call for what would, namely proportional representation.

Have you heard of proportional representation?

Recently in my research at the Grattan Institute, I’ve been thinking a lot about Australian democracy: the factors that have made it successful, the challenges it faces, and how we can make it better. A few thoughts on one of the books that’s helped me with these questions. 🧵

“In Great Britain we do not have Elections any more; we have Rejections..” H.G. Wells, 1912

Most advanced democracies have moved beyond winner-take-all elections that focus on a handful of swing ridings while ignoring millions elsewhere. Proportional representation changes that incentive. Every vote helps elect someone, so parties must compete and listen everywhere.

@scottsantens “We also need proportional representation to end gerrymandering (see the Fair Representation Act).” 💯 See also represent.org.au

First Past the Post is kind of exhausting, honestly 😣 Let's keep it simple. Let's make it proportional.

Great to see @avilewis calling for electoral reform and a Citizens Assembly. Thanks for putting this on the agenda! The goal should be a voting system where organizing and turnout actually translate into representation. Proportional representation makes every vote count.

New on the PRSA website: We’d all like our governments to represent us, the people. Unfortunately the method we use to elect our governments doesn’t deliver representation that matches the diversity of views found in the electorate. #PR_STV #STV #auspol represent.org.au

California could end up with two Republicans on the November ballot for governor. Not because Republicans are surging. Because Democrats are splitting the vote. Here's the problem and the fix: mercurynews.com/2026/03/06/opi…🧵

In California's top-two primary for governor, there’s a possibility the vast Dem field splits the vote & 2 Republicans end up on the Nov ballot. A top-four primary w/ a ranked choice voting general election gives voters more choice & representative results. @tomc1227 explains⬇️

💥 Professor Vernon Bogdanor writes for @FinancialTimes: "An electoral system should do two things: ensure that the majority rules and that significant minorities are adequately represented. First Past the Post achieves neither." 👏👏👏 ft.com/content/38d83f…

Newburgh, NY has adopted proportional ranked choice voting to resolve a claim under the NY Voting Rights Act. Newburgh is the first jurisdiction to resolve a voting rights claim under the NYVRA, and the second in New York to adopt #RankedChoiceVoting. fairvote.org/newburgh-ny-ad…