How does the Additional Member System (AMS) operate? - Edexcel - A-Level Politics - Question 3 - 2017 - Paper 1

The Additional Member System (AMS) functions as a hybrid electoral system, combining elements of both first-past-the-post (FPTP) and proportional representation.

1. Voting Process: Each voter casts two votes; one for a candidate in their local constituency and another for a party list. The crucial aspect here is that a voter can choose a candidate from one political party and a different party for the list vote.

2. Constituency Vote: The first vote is counted using the single-member plurality system (FPTP), where the candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins.

3. List Vote: The second vote influences the proportion of representatives elected from party lists, using a proportional representation method based on the d'Hondt formula, which helps allocate the seats fairly across parties based on their share of the total vote.

4. Hybrid System: This system distinguishes itself as a 'hybrid' by creating two different types of representatives: constituency representatives and regional or list representatives. This allows for a more comprehensive representation of voter preferences.

5. Seat Allocation Variation: The number of seats and their split can vary significantly. For instance, in Wales, there are 40 Assembly Members coming from 20 constituency votes, alongside additional members. In contrast, Scotland uses a different allocation of 73 constituency members and 56 additional members. This variation can impact how effectively different regions are represented in the government.