Vote). A BILL TO Authorise the introduction of the Alternative Vote A.D. 19234 in Local Elections; and for other purposes connected therewith. BE sunset E it enacted by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, 5 as follows: 10 15 1.—(1) This Act may be adopted by any local Mode of authority by means of a resolution agreed to at a adoption. meeting by not less than three-fifths of the members present and voting. (2) A resolution adopting this Act shall come into force on such date as may be fixed in the resolution, but the date so fixed shall not be less than three months before the ordinary day of retirement of any councillors occurring next after the passing of the resolution. (3) One month at least before the meeting of the council notice of the meeting and of the intention to propose the resolution shall be sent by post to every member of the council. (4) Any resolution adopting this Act may be re20 scinded by a local authority by a resolution passed not less than six years after in the same manner as the adopting resolution. (5) Where a resolution adopting this Act is rescinded, this Act shall cease to have effect as respects the next 25 ordinary election of councillors and any subsequent Vote). A.D. 1923. election of councillors, without prejudice, however, to any subsequent adoption of this Act. Absolute (6) Where an application is made by the local authority for the purpose, the Secretary of State shall divide any area of the authority into electoral areas, 5 each returning one councillor only in any single contest. (7) In the application of this Act to Scotland the expression "local authority means a county council and a town council; a reference to "the Secretary for Scotland" shall be substituted for a reference to "the 10 Secretary of State." (8) In the event of this Act being adopted by the borough council of Oxford or Cambridge, nothing therein shall, except if and so far as the governing body of the University otherwise resolve, affect the manner it which 15 the representatives on such councils of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge respectively are selected. (9) The expression "local authority" means а council of a county, borough (including a metropolitan borough), or urban district. 20 (10) When this Act is adopted by any local authority the following provisions shall, as from the coming into force of the resolution, have effect as respects that authority at the next ordinary election of councillors after the resolution comes into force and at all subsequent 25 contested elections unless and until the resolution is rescinded. 2. No candidate shall be declared elected at any majority of election by a local authority who does not obtain an votes polled absolute majority of the votes polled at such election. necessary. Power to voter to indicate further preference. 35 & 36 Vict. c. 33. 35 & 36 Vict. c. 33. 3. A voter at any election at which one councillor is to be elected to serve on any local authority and more than two candidates are nominated (a) may place the figure 1 on his ballot paper opposite 30 the name of the candidate who is his first 35 preference instead of the cross prescribed by the Ballot Act, 1872; (b) may, in addition to the figure 1 authorised by this Act, or to the cross prescribed by the Ballot Act, 1872, place on his ballot paper the 40 figure 2, or the figures 2, 3, and so on in the order of his preference, opposite the names of 5 Vote). the candidates whom he would prefer if the A.D. 1923. for counting Vict. c. 33. 4. (1) If, on the counting of the votes directed Provisions by the Ballot Act, 1872, any candidate obtains an absolute majority, he shall be declared elected. 10 (2) If, on counting the first preference votes of all the candidates no candidate is found to have more than one-half the number of valid votes recorded, the returning officer shall proceed to deal with the ballot papers as follows:(a) He shall construct a table (Table I.), as shown in the First Schedule, by setting out in columns the various preferences of the voters opposite the names of the candidates; 15 20 25 30 35 40 (b) He shall construct another table (Table II.) by (c) He shall find the average number of the points (d) He shall, if more than one candidate remain, (e) If at any time two or more candidates, one of AD 1923. Public notice of transfers. 35 & 36 Vict. c. 33. Directions to voters. 35 & 36 Vict. c. 33. 35 & 36 Vict. c. 33. Vote). (3) On any transfer of votes under this section- (b) When on any ballot paper a next preference is (4) In this section "an absolute majority means more than one half of all the votes for the time being 10 counted in favour of candidates, no account being taken of votes given in favour of a rejected candidate and not transferred under this Act. (5) If a voter (a) places more than one figure opposite the name 15 of any one candidate; or (b) places the same figure opposite the names of his vote shall not be counted for or transferred to any 5. The returning officer shall give public notice of 25 any transfer of votes made under this Act and of the total number of votes counted to each candidate after any such transfer in addition to the particulars prescribed by rule forty-five of the First Schedule to the Ballot Act, 1872. Such public notice may be in accordance 30 with the form given in the First Schedule to this Act. 6. In any election to which this Act shall apply- (b) The figures on the left-hand side of the names 40 Vote). A.D. 1923. 7. This Act shall not apply to any election at which Non-applicamore than one councillor is to be elected to serve on any local authority. tion to elections of two councillors. 8. This Act shall be read as one with the Ballot Construction. 5 Act, 1872. 35 & 36 Vict. c. 33. 9. This Act may be cited as the Local Elections Short title. (Alternative Vote) Act, 1923. |