5BGeneral description of Single Transferable Voting electoral system

1. For local electoral purposes, the Single Transferable Voting electoral system,—

2. in the case of an election for multi-member vacancies, has the following features:
   1. voters express a first preference for 1 candidate and may express second and further preferences for other candidates:
   2. a quota for election is calculated from the number of votes and positions to be filled:
   3. the first preferences are counted and any candidate whose first preference votes equal or exceed the quota is elected:
   4. if insufficient candidates are elected under subparagraph (iii), the proportion of an elected candidate's votes above the quota is redistributed according to voters' further preferences, and—
      1. candidates who then reach the quota are elected; and
      2. the candidate with the fewest votes is excluded:
   5. the excluded candidate's votes are redistributed according to voters' further preferences:
   6. if insufficient candidates are elected under subparagraphs (iv) and (v), the steps described in subparagraphs (iv) and (v) are repeated until all positions are filled:
3. in the case of an election for a mayoral or single member vacancy, has the following features:
   1. voters express a first preference for 1 candidate and may express second and further preferences for other candidates:
   2. an absolute majority of votes for election is calculated from the number of votes and positions to be filled:
   3. the first preferences are counted and, if a candidate's first preference votes equal or exceed the absolute majority of votes, that candidate is elected:
   4. if no candidate is elected under subparagraph (iii), the candidate with the fewest votes is excluded and that candidate's votes are redistributed according to voters' further preferences:
   5. if no candidate is elected under subparagraph (iv), the steps described in subparagraph (iv) are repeated until a candidate is elected:
4. in the case of a poll, has the features specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) as if, with all necessary modifications, every reference to a candidate were a reference to the matter or matters that are the subject of the poll.