x: x

‘The method adopted in those exceptional
parliamentary constituencies is to allow each
elector to vote for all the candidates save one. If
votes are given for more than the prescribed number
of candidates, none of the votes on the voting
paper are counted. In this way, if any one candidate
 have a fair number of supporters who vote
for him, even though they do not compose the
majority of the electors, he is very likely to be
elected.

a

2. The method adopted in the elections to
school boards is that called “cumulative voting.”
It consists in giving to each elector as many votes
as there are members to be elected, and allowing
each elector to give all his votes, or as many of
them as he pleases, to any one candidate; or some
of his votes to one candidate, and some to another.

There are objections to both these systems ;
other more exact methods have been devised which
have not yet been tried, the object being to ensure
that there shall be propertionate representation,
and the chief objection to which lies in their being
too complex and difficult to be mastered by the
average elector,
Until within the last few years, votes were given
publicly in such a way that every one could know
who voted for each candidate. They are now
given by secret ballot, except in elections for universities.