First past the post is a method of voting, wherein voters mark one candidate as their favoriite, and the candidate with more first-preference votes than any other candidate (a plurality) is elected, even if they do not have more than half of votes (a majority).
This forces the voter to strategize and vote for what they think is the ‘least worst’ candidate that has a chance to receive the most choices, rather than their favorite candidate. It’s therefore probably one of the worst form of election, as it encourages status quo, gerrymandering, and voting based on popularity rather than ideas and programs.
First past the post has entered the chat
I have no idea about what this means. Would you like to explain?
Voting system where you only get to vote for a single candidate on the ballot. Basically always means people will vote for the “least worst” candidate
Thank you. I misinterpreted ‘post’ as social media posts.
Oh lol, that’s quite funny
I literally thought it was social media too. I’ve never heard the political side and I’m an American in my 40s.
First past the post is a method of voting, wherein voters mark one candidate as their favoriite, and the candidate with more first-preference votes than any other candidate (a plurality) is elected, even if they do not have more than half of votes (a majority).
This forces the voter to strategize and vote for what they think is the ‘least worst’ candidate that has a chance to receive the most choices, rather than their favorite candidate. It’s therefore probably one of the worst form of election, as it encourages status quo, gerrymandering, and voting based on popularity rather than ideas and programs.
For a more democratic electoral system, see for example single transferable vote.