Why preferential voting is superior to first past the post

By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne

The South Australian state election will be held on March 21. Preferential voting will be used to elect members for all 47 single-member lower house seats. This is the same system as used for federal House of Representatives elections.

Some Australian conservatives are advocating Australia return to first past the post (FPTP), but a conservative government introduced preferential voting in 1918 to stop vote splitting between two conservative parties. Right-wing preferences helped the Coalition…

Read complete article

~	Increasing math scores: Why Ontario needs early numeracy screening

~	Is NZ defence and intelligence policy aligning with AUKUS in all but name?

~	The penis evolved to be noticed – but the artful fig leaf has hidden it for centuries

~	End to Abuses Still Distant in DR Congo

~	Why are scientists calling for urgent action on amoebas?

~	Peter Mandelson steps down from the House of Lords – but he still has his title

~	Hey Trump: Here’s how Canada punched above its military weight in Afghanistan — from someone with a front-row seat

~	Voluntary assisted dying isn’t available to all Australians. In 2026, this may finally change

~	Winter Olympic security tightens as US-European tensions grow

~	New research shows Australians support buying local for different reasons – and not all will pay more