The Electoral Reform Society is a pressure group based in the UK which promotes electoral reform. It was founded in January 1884 as the Proportional Representation Society by John Lubbock, the name was changed to Electoral Reform Society in 1958. It is believed to the oldest organisation concerned with electoral systems in the world. The current Chief Executive is Ken Ritchie.

Aims

Since its formation, the society has promoted the use of the Single Transferable Vote in general elections. It also has many influences around the world in concern with electoral reformation. The mission of the society is to secure an electoral system in the UK which it believes will:

• Gives all votes equal value
• Give effective representation to all significant points of view within the electorate
• Not have the problem of tactical voting and votes wasted.
• Ensure the accountability of individual representatives to their electorates

The society recommends the Single Transferable Vote system in multi-member constituencies for general elections.

It has a membership of about 2,000 individuals.

The Society's principal activities are:

• Lobbying politicians, political parties and opinion makers.
• Publishing books and leaflets.
• Running an education programme for schools, colleges and the general public.
• Arranging lectures and seminars.
• Analysing and commenting on public elections.
• Providing an information service to respond to enquiries about public elections and electoral procedure.

The Society is a founder member of the Make Votes Count Coalition.

History

The ERS was founded in January 1884 as the Proportional Representation Society by John Lubbock. The founding members included academics, barristers, and Conservative and Liberal MPs. Famous members included Charles Dodgson, C.P. Scott and Thomas Hare.

The Society campaigned for the introduction of STV until 1888. After this time it became inactive, until 1904. They resumed campaigning for STV, succeeding in getting it introduced in local elections in Ireland, and numerous religious, educational and professional organisations. After WWII, the Society suffered from financial problems and a lack of interest in electoral reform.

In 1983 the Society was recognised by the United Nations Economic and Social Council as a Non-Governmental Organisation with Consultative Status. In 1994, the Society celebrated its centenary.

The Society campaigned succesfully for the introduction of STV for local elections in Scotland.

Counting rules

• How to Count an Election by The Single Transferable Vote

External links

• Official website
• Make Votes Count coalition, of which the ERS is a founder member
• Article on the ERS from the Electoral Reform Wiki City
• Articles and Memorandum of Association of the ERS from an unnofficial site.

Elections | Voting lobby groups | Political pressure groups of the United Kingdom