THE TRANSFERABLE VOTE IN MUNICIPAL 

 ELECTIONS. 



By John Brown, M.D., CM., L.R.C.S.E. 



The object of the use of the transferable vote is to secure that 

 as far as possible every vote given may be used for the election 

 of the representatives, so that the thoroughly representative 

 character of the elected body is secured. 



In our present system the return of a member depends 

 on his securing a relative majority of the voters in his ward or 

 constituency. Less than half the votes given are usually effective 

 in returning members, so that the resulting elected body is far 

 from representing the voters. 



In boroughs sometimes one party secures a monopoly of the 

 representation, and the Royal Commission* points out 

 that the English House of Commons barely represents, 

 even approximately, the relative numbers of its electors. 

 Half a century ago, Hare and J. Stuart Mill recommended the 

 sectional representation of the people, the representation of minori- 

 ties as well as majorities, and of any section able to give the man 

 of its choice a quota. 



For English-speaking communities the Royal Commission 

 considers the transferable vote most likely to secure confidence, 

 and it recommends it for Municipal Elections. . . Sections i-6. 

 In securing its object the voters' work and that of the 



returning officer is simple Sections 7-15. 



Two elements of chance and the means of obviating them are con- 

 sidered. Sections 16-19, 



The Cape Provincial Elections, Senatorial, and the Municipal 

 Elections at Cape Town and Johannesburg are considered. 



Sections 20-25. 

 Then, the evils of the present system, and the probable influence 

 of the new system on the Ward, the voters and the candidate are 

 considered. Sections 26-30, 



SUBJECTS OF SECTIONS. 



I.' Effective and non-effective votes. 



2. True representation. 



3. Election by a relative majority — our present system. 



4. The Royal Commission or Parliamentary representation. 



5. The object of Hare and J. Stuart Mill now attained in 

 the Transvaal. 



6. Other plans. The Royal Commission on the transferable 

 vote for Municipal Councils and second Legislative 

 Chambers. 



7. The object of the system, and the voters work under it. 



8. The work of the returning officer, and the quota. 



*Report Cd. 5, 163, 1910. 



