The correct spelling of "hare system" is /hɛər ˈsɪstəm/. The word "hare" is pronounced with an open-mid back unrounded vowel /ɛər/ and the stress falls on the first syllable of the word. The word "system" is pronounced with a short "i" sound /sɪstəm/ and the stress falls on the second syllable. The "e" at the end of "hare" does not affect how it is pronounced and instead indicates the presence of a silent "e" which affects the stress of the word.
The Hare system, also known as "Single Transferable Vote" or STV, is an electoral system used in some countries to ensure proportional representation and maximize voter choice. It is primarily employed in multi-member constituencies or in proportional representation systems.
Under the Hare system, voters rank candidates in order of preference on their ballot papers. Each voter's first preference is counted as a full vote. After the first count, if a candidate secures a quota (a certain number of votes necessary to win a seat), they are elected immediately.
However, if no candidate reaches the quota, an elimination process begins. The candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are transferred to the remaining candidates based on the second preference indicated by the voters. This process continues until all seats are filled or until there are only as many candidates left as there are available seats.
The Hare system strives to ensure that each vote counts and that the distribution of seats aligns closely with the preferences of the voters. It is intended to elect a group of representatives that accurately reflects the diverse opinions and preferences of the electorate.
While the Hare system promotes fairness and proportionality, it can be mathematically complex and time-consuming. However, its use in various countries, such as Ireland and Malta, has demonstrated its effectiveness in achieving representative democracy.
The word "hare system" originates from the name of a British lawyer and political scientist named Thomas Hare (1806-1891). Hare devised a system of proportional representation for elections, which became commonly known as the "Hare system" or "Hare method" in his honor. The term "hare" comes from his surname. The Hare system is a voting system that aims to ensure fair representation by allocating seats to candidates based on the number of votes they receive, rather than relying solely on winners-take-all approaches.