Droop Quota - Comparison With The Hare Quota

Comparison With The Hare Quota

The Droop quota is smaller than the Hare quota, and is more efficient when counting ballots since a candidate needs only the smaller quota to be considered elected. Overall the two quotas achieve very similar net results since a candidate cannot not be elected once they achieve the Droop quota, however the results may differ, particularly for the last seat, based on the transfer of preferences.

  • In a multi-winner election, the Hare quota is kinder to small parties than the Droop quota because they have a slightly better chance to win the final seat. The principle of proportional representation favours the Hare quota;
  • In an open list multi-winner election under the Hare quota it is possible for a party supported by a clear majority of voters to receive only a minority of seats if the votes are not dispersed relatively evenly across all the party's candidates. The principle of majority rule favours the Droop quota;
  • In an STV election in which there is only one seat to be filled (in other words an Instant Run-off Voting election) both quotas will achieve the same result.

The difference between the two quotas comes down to what the quota implies. Winners elected under a Hare system represent that proportion of the electorate; winners under a Droop system were elected by that proportion of the electorate.

The Droop quota is today the most popular quota for STV elections.

Read more about this topic:  Droop Quota

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