Mituushääletus

Mituushääletus, a Finnish term, translates to "multiple-choice voting" or "preferential voting" in English. It refers to an electoral system where voters rank candidates in order of preference rather than selecting a single candidate. This method is employed in various democratic processes to ensure broader representation and reduce the impact of "spoiler" candidates.

The core principle of mituushääletus is that a voter's ballot is not considered wasted if their first choice is eliminated. Instead, their vote is transferred to their second choice, and so on, until all votes are counted and a winner is determined. This process typically involves several rounds of counting and elimination. If no candidate secures a majority of first-preference votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed based on the second preferences indicated on those ballots. This continues until one candidate achieves an absolute majority.

Advantages of mituushääletus often cited include its ability to elect candidates with broad appeal rather than just a fervent minority. It can also encourage more positive campaigning, as candidates may seek second and third preferences from voters whose first choice is a rival. Critics, however, sometimes point to its complexity, which can make it more difficult for voters to understand and for election officials to administer compared to simpler systems. The system is designed to find a candidate with majority support, avoiding situations where a winner might be elected with only a small plurality of the vote.