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Attitudes to Voting Rules and Electoral System Preferences:Evidence from the 1999 and 2003 Scottish Parliament Elections

Curtice, John, Seyd, Ben (2011) Attitudes to Voting Rules and Electoral System Preferences:Evidence from the 1999 and 2003 Scottish Parliament Elections. Electoral Studies, 30 (1). pp. 184-200. ISSN 0261-3794. (doi:10.1016/j.electstud.2010.12.002) (KAR id:27650)

Abstract

Researchers have paid little attention to the way citizens evaluate different electoral systems. This reflects the limited knowledge citizens are presumed to have about alternative electoral arrangements. However, the establishment of a legislature under new electoral rules creates conditions in which citizens can make more informed judgements. Such a situation occurred with the establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999, elected under the Additional Member system. Using data collected in 1999 and 2003, we consider Scottish voters' reactions to the new electoral rules. We examine how voters evaluated various features and outcomes of the rules, the structure of voters' attitudes, and which features and outcomes of the rules were decisive in shaping overall support for plurality and proportional voting systems.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/j.electstud.2010.12.002
Subjects: J Political Science > JA Political science (General)
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Politics and International Relations
Depositing User: Ben Seyd
Date Deposited: 11 Apr 2011 08:44 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:06 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/27650 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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