View source for Block voting

{{Short description|Type of multi-winner plurality/majority electoral system}}
{{more citations needed|date=October 2022}}
{{distinguish|Voting bloc}}
{{Electoral systems}}
'''Block''' or '''bloc voting''' refers to a class of [[electoral system]]s where multiple candidates are elected simultaneously. They do not guarantee minority representation and allow a group of voters (a [[voting bloc]]) to ensure that only their preferred candidates are elected. In these systems, a voter can select as many candidates as there are open seats. That is, the voter has as many votes to cast as the number of seats to fill.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ballotpedia |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Block_voting_system |website=Ballotpedia |access-date=September 18, 2023}}</ref>{{better reference needed|date=September 2023}} The block voting systems are among various election systems available for use in multi-member districts where the voting system allows for the selection of multiple winners at once. 

Block voting falls under the [[multiple non-transferable vote]] category, a term often used interchangeably with this term. Block voting may be also associated with the concept of [[winner-take-all representation]] in multi-winner electoral systems or the plurality election method.

Other variations of block voting include [[block approval voting]], and [[general ticket|party block voting]] (sometimes called a [[general ticket]]). Block voting is often contrasted with [[proportional representation]], where the aim is to ensure that each voter's vote carries equal weight. In contrast, block voting tends to favor the most popular party, resulting in a [[landslide victory]].

== Terminology ==
The term "plurality [[at-large]]" is common in representative elections where members represent an entire body (such as a city, state, province, or nation). In multi-member electoral districts, the system is often referred to as "block voting" or the "bloc vote." This article's description of block voting specifically pertains to "unlimited voting," unlike "[[limited voting]]," where voters have fewer votes than the available seats. The term "block voting" may also refer to a simple plurality election of slates ([[electoral list]]s) in multi-member districts.

== Types of block voting ==
Multiple winners are typically elected simultaneously in one non-transferable round of voting. In some cases, multiple non-transferable voting (MNTV) appears in a [[Two-round system|runoff or two-round version]], as seen in certain [[local elections in France]], where candidates without an absolute majority are thinned out before a second round. 

=== Plurality block voting ===
{{main|Plurality block voting}}
In a block voting election, all candidates compete for ''m'' positions, often referred to as the district magnitude. Each voter selects up to ''m'' candidates on the ballot.<ref name="Sanok 2007 j748">{{cite web | last=Sanok | first=Ann | title=EEE victim's memory celebrated at benefit | website=blueridgenow.com | date=19 October 2007 | url=https://www.blueridgenow.com/story/news/2007/10/19/eee-victim-s-memory-celebrated/52766475007/ | access-date=4 November 2023}}</ref> The ''m'' candidates with the most votes, but not necessarily a majority, are elected and fill the positions.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Reynolds |first1=Andrew |url=http://www.idea.int/publications/catalogue/electoral-system-design-new-international-idea-handbook?lang=en |title=Electoral System Design: The New International IDEA Handbook |last2=Reilly |first2=Ben |last3=Ellis |first3=Andrew |date=2005 |publisher=International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance |isbn=978-91-85391-18-9 |location=Stockholm, Sweden |page=44 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221113519/http://www.idea.int/publications/catalogue/electoral-system-design-new-international-idea-handbook?lang=en |archive-date=December 21, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Two-round block voting ===
Two-round block voting is a variation of plurality-at-large where the field of candidates is thinned out before a second round.{{Cn|date=June 2024}}

=== General ticket / Party block voting ===
{{main|3 = General ticket}}
Party block voting (PBV) or the general ticket is the party-list version of block voting. In contrast to the classic block vote, where candidates may stand as non-partisan and some minority nominations can theoretically succeed, PBV associates each candidate with a party list voted on by electors, often leading to a landslide outcome. The [[Parliament of Singapore]] uses this system for most of its elections.{{Cn|date=June 2024}}

=== Approval block voting ===
{{main|Approval block voting}}

Block approval voting permits every voter to vote for any number of candidates, provided that they do not vote more than once for the same candidate. Block voting, specifically plurality block voting, is compared with preferential block voting as both often produce landslide victories for similar candidates. Instead of checkboxes, preferential block voting utilizes a [[preferential ballot]], making it a multiple ''transferable'' vote rather than a multiple ''non-transferable'' vote. Under both systems, a slate of the top preferred candidate and their clones typically secures every available seat.

=== Preferential block voting ===
{{Main|Preferential block voting}}
Block voting, or plurality block voting, is often compared with [[preferential block voting]] as both systems tend to produce landslide victories for similar candidates. Instead of a series of checkboxes, preferential block voting uses a [[preferential ballot]]. A slate of clones of the top preferred candidate will win every seat under both systems, however in preferential block voting this is instead the [[Instant-runoff voting|instant-runoff]] winner.{{Cn|date=June 2024}}

== Similar voting systems ==

=== Limited voting (LV) / Partial block voting ===
{{main|Limited voting}}
Partial block voting, also known as limited voting, operates similarly to plurality-at-large voting. However, in partial block voting, each voter casts fewer votes than the number of candidates to be elected. This process enables reasonably sized minorities to achieve some representation, preventing a simple plurality from sweeping every seat. Partial bloc voting is employed in elections to the Gibraltar Parliament, allowing each voter ten votes for seventeen open seats. The typical outcome sees the most popular party winning ten seats and forming the ruling administration. In contrast, the second-most popular party secures seven seats to form the opposition. The Spanish Senate also adopts partial block voting, offering four seats per constituency, with each voter casting three votes. Historically, three- and four-member constituencies in the United Kingdom used partial block voting until the abolition of multimember constituencies.

With fewer votes per voter, the threshold to win decreases under partial block voting, making the results more akin to proportional representation, provided voters and candidates use effective strategies.<ref>{{cite web |title=Limited Voting, Cumulative Voting and Choice Voting: A Comparison of Three Alternative Voting Systems |url=http://www.fairvote.org/factshts/comparis.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081118172344/http://www.fairvote.org/factshts/comparis.htm |archive-date=November 18, 2008 |work=fairvote.org}}</ref>

== Examples of voting systems ==

=== Plurality block voting and majority block voting ===
Consider a scenario with 12 candidates in a 3-member district among 10,000 voters. Both plurality block voting and majority block voting allow voters to cast three votes (although they need not use all three) but restrict voting to one vote per candidate.

Party A garners roughly 35% support among the electorate, Party B secures around 25%, and the remaining voters mainly support independent candidates but lean toward Party B if compelled to choose between the two parties. Assuming all voters cast their votes sincerely and avoid tactical voting, the following tabulation elucidates the outcomes:

{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="3" |Candidate
! colspan="2" rowspan="3" |Party
! colspan="4" rowspan="2" |Plurality block voting
! colspan="8" |Majority block voting / 2 round voting
|-
! colspan="4" |1st round
! colspan="4" |2nd round
|-
!Votes
!%
! colspan="2" |Elected?
!Votes
!%
! colspan="2" |Elected?
!Votes
!%
! colspan="2" |Elected?
|-
|Candidate A1
| style="background:#D10000" |
|Party A
|'''3555'''
|'''36%'''
|'''3.'''
|'''Yes'''
|3555
|36%
|3.
|
|4100
|41%
|5.
|
|-
|Candidate A2
| style="background:#D10000" |
|Party A
|'''3700'''
|'''37%'''
|'''1.'''
|'''Yes'''
|3700
|37%
|1.
|
|4200
|42%
|4.
|
|-
|Candidate A3
| style="background:#D10000" |
|Party A
|'''3600'''
|'''36%'''
|'''2.'''
|'''Yes'''
|3600
|36%
|2.
|
|3900
|39%
|7.
|
|-
|Candidate B1
| style="background:#0008A5" |
|Party B
|2600
|26%
|4.
|
|2600
|26%
|4.
|
|'''5100'''
|'''51%'''
|'''1.'''
|'''Yes'''
|-
|Candidate B2
| style="background:#0008A5" |
|Party B
|2500
|25%
|5.
|
|2500
|25%
|5.
|
|'''4900'''
|'''49%'''
|'''2.'''
|'''Yes'''
|-
|Candidate B3
| style="background:#0008A5" |
|Party B
|2400
|24%
|6.
|
|2400
|24%
|6.
|
|'''4800'''
|'''48%'''
|'''3.'''
|'''Yes'''
|-
|Candidate I1
|
|Independent
|2300
|23%
|8.
|
|2300
|23%
|8.
|''eliminated''
|
|
|
|
|-
|Candidate I2
|
|Independent
|2395
|20%
|7.
|
|2395
|20%
|7.
|''eliminated''
|
|
|
|
|-
|Candidate I3
|
|Independent
|1900
|19%
|9.
|
|1900
|19%
|9.
|''eliminated''
|
|
|
|
|-
|Candidate I4
|
|Independent
|1800
|15%
|10
|
|1800
|15%
|10
|''eliminated''
|
|
|
|
|-
|Candidate I5
|
|Independent
|650
|7%
|11.
|
|650
|7%
|11.
|''eliminated''
|
|
|
|
|-
|Candidate I6
|
|Independent
|600
|6%
|12.
|
|600
|6%
|12.
|''eliminated''
|
|
|
|
|-
| colspan="3" |''TOTAL votes cast''
|28000
|
|
|
|28000
|
|
|
|27000
|
|
|
|-
| colspan="3" |TOTAL possible votes
|30000
|
|
|
|30000
|
|
|
|30000
|
|
|
|-
| colspan="3" |Voters
|10000
|100%
|
|
|10000
|100%
|
|
|10000
|100%
|
|
|}
In the second round, voters of independent candidates can vote for candidates of party B. As even fewer voters cast all their 3 votes, even in the second round, some winners do technically win with a majority, but only a plurality in fact (similar to differences between turnout levels in [[Two-round system|two-round voting]]).

=== Block voting and approval block voting ===
A 3-member district with 10,000 voters features 12 candidates. Block voting allows each voter to cast only one vote for a single candidate.

* Under ''unlimited'' block ''approval'' voting, voters can select any number of candidates.
* Under ''limited'' block approval voting, voters can cast up to six votes, twice the number of winners.
* Under ''plurality'' block voting, voters can cast up to three votes, though it's not mandatory.
* Under ''limited'' (block) voting, voters can cast a maximum of two votes.
* Under the [[single non-transferable vote]] (which is not block voting), voters can cast only one vote.

Party A has an approximate 35% electorate support, notably due to one well-received candidate. Party B holds around 25% backing, comprising two popular candidates. The remaining voters primarily favor independent candidates, but tend to lean towards Party B if pressed to choose between the two main parties. All voters engage in [[sincere voting]] with no tactical influence.
{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="2" |Candidate
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |Party
! colspan="4" |Block approval voting
! colspan="4" |Limited block approval voting
! colspan="4" |Plurality block voting
! colspan="4" |Limited (block) voting
! colspan="4" |Single non-transferable vote
|-
!Votes
!%
! colspan="2" |Elected?
!Votes
!%
! colspan="2" |Elected?
!Votes
!%
! colspan="2" |Elected?
!Votes
!%
! colspan="2" |Elected?
!Votes
!%
! colspan="2" |Elected?
|-
|Candidate A1
| style="background:#D10000" |
|Party A
|4200
|42%
|8.
|
|4000
|40%
|5.
|
|'''3555'''
|'''36%'''
|'''3.'''
|'''Yes'''
|1800
|18%
|4.
|
|800
|8%
|4.
|
|-
|Candidate A2
| style="background:#D10000" |
|Party A
|4500
|45%
|5.
|
|4100
|40%
|4.
|
|'''3700'''
|'''37%'''
|'''1.'''
|'''Yes'''
|'''3500'''
|'''35%'''
|'''1.'''
|'''Yes'''
|'''1900'''
|'''19%'''
|'''1.'''
|'''Yes'''
|-
|Candidate A3
| style="background:#D10000" |
|Party A
|3900
|39%
|9.
|
|3800
|40%
|7.
|
|'''3600'''
|'''36%'''
|'''2.'''
|'''Yes'''
|'''2000'''
|'''20%'''
|'''2.'''
|'''Yes'''
|700
|7%
|9.
|
|-
|Candidate B1
| style="background:#0008A5" |
|Party B
|'''5200'''
|'''52%'''
|'''1.'''
|'''Yes'''
|'''4900'''
|'''49%'''
|'''1.'''
|'''Yes'''
|2600
|26%
|4.
|
|1750
|18%
|5.
|
|'''900'''
|'''9%'''
|'''3.'''
|'''Yes'''
|-
|Candidate B2
| style="background:#0008A5" |
|Party B
|'''5000'''
|'''50%'''
|'''2.'''
|'''Yes'''
|'''4600'''
|'''46%'''
|'''3.'''
|'''Yes'''
|2500
|25%
|5.
|
|'''1950'''
|'''20%'''
|'''3.'''
|'''Yes'''
|'''1100'''
|'''11%'''
|'''2.'''
|'''Yes'''
|-
|Candidate B3
| style="background:#0008A5" |
|Party B
|4700
|47%
|4.
|
|'''4200'''
|'''42%'''
|'''2.'''
|'''Yes'''
|2400
|24%
|6.
|
|1425
|14%
|7.
|
|400
|4%
|12.
|
|-
|Candidate I1
|
|Independent
|4400
|44%
|6.
|
|3800
|38%
|7.
|
|2300
|23%
|8.
|
|1400
|14%
|8.
|
|800
|8%
|4.
|
|-
|Candidate I2
|
|Independent
|'''4900'''
|'''49%'''
|'''3.'''
|'''Yes'''
|4000
|40%
|5.
|
|2395
|20%
|7.
|
|1500
|15%
|6.
|
|800
|8%
|4.
|
|-
|Candidate I3
|
|Independent
|4400
|44%
|6.
|
|3700
|37%
|9.
|
|1900
|19%
|9.
|
|1300
|13%
|9.
|
|700
|7%
|7.
|
|-
|Candidate I4
|
|Independent
|3900
|39%
|9.
|
|3200
|32%
|10.
|
|1800
|15%
|10
|
|1200
|12%
|10.
|
|700
|7%
|7.
|
|-
|Candidate I5
|
|Independent
|2600
|26%
|11.
|
|2000
|20%
|11.
|
|650
|7%
|11.
|
|625
|6%
|11.
|
|600
|6%
|10.
|
|-
|Candidate I6
|
|Independent
|2300
|23%
|12.
|
|1700
|17%
|12.
|
|600
|6%
|12.
|
|550
|6%
|12.
|
|500
|5%
|11.
|
|-
| colspan="3" |''TOTAL votes cast''
|50000
|
|
|
|44000
|
|
|
|28000
|
|
|
|19000
|
|
|
|10000
|
|
|
|-
| colspan="3" |TOTAL possible votes
|120000
|
|
|
|60000
|
|
|
|30000
|
|
|
|20000
|
|
|
|10000
|
|
|
|-
| colspan="3" |Voters
|10000
|100%
|
|
|10000
|100%
|
|
|10000
|100%
|
|
|10000
|100%
|
|
|10000
|100%
|
|
|}

* Under the single non-transferable vote, the three most popular candidates based on voters' initial preferences are elected, irrespective of party affiliation.
* In limited voting, it is probable that the party with a plurality secures two seats (reflecting the number of votes each voter has), while the minority party gains the remaining seats.
* Plurality block voting generally results in the party with the most support winning all available seats.
* Limited block approval voting allows independent candidates' supporters to use their additional votes to assist candidates other than their top three choices, possibly leading to a reversal of the outcome observed in plurality block voting.
* Block approval voting permits any popular party-affiliated or independent candidates to be elected, but it's plausible that nearly half of the population might not have a representative elected.

==See also==

* [[Voting bloc]]
* [[First-past-the-post voting]]
* [[Single non-transferable vote]]

== Notes ==
<references responsive="1"></references>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

* http://www.mtholyoke.edu/offices/comm/oped/voter_rights.shtml
* [http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?navby=search&court=US&case=/us/458/613.html Rogers v. Lodge, (1982) Supreme Court Case]

== External links ==

* [http://www.idea.int/publications/esd/index.cfm A Handbook of Electoral System Design] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091224082449/http://www.idea.int/ |date=2009-12-24 }} from [http://www.idea.int/ International IDEA]
* [http://www.aceproject.org/ace-en/topics/es Electoral Design Reference Materials] from the [http://www.aceproject.org/ ACE Project]
* [http://www.aceproject.org/ ACE Electoral Knowledge Network] Expert site providing an encyclopedia on Electoral Systems and Management, country-by-country data, a library of electoral materials, the latest election news, the opportunity to submit questions to a network of electoral experts, and a forum to discuss all of the above



[[Category:Voting]]