How candidates are elected

In an STV election, candidates must reach a certain number of votes to get elected. This is called a quota. The quota is based on the total number of votes and the number of vacant positions.

Click here to see a demonstration of how candidates are elected by Single Transferable Vote.

Here's how candidates are elected:

The counting process tallies all first preference votes
If a candidate is elected, they keep only the proportion of the vote they need to reach the quota. The surplus part of each vote is transferred to the voters' second choice.
The votes are tallied again
If another candidate gets more votes than they need to be elected, the surplus part of each vote for that candidate will be transferred to the voters' third choice
If no more candidates have enough support to get elected, the lowest polling candidate is eliminated and all votes for that candidate are transferred to voters' next choices.
This process is repeated until enough candidates are elected to fill the vacant positions.

The transfer of votes is done in order of voters' preference. This means that surplus votes are not "wasted" but are available to help other candidates to get elected.

The election process treats all candidates the same, by giving them a "keep value". Find out more.

How candidates are elected for one vacancy.