Complete the given passage with appropriate forms of the verbs given in the brackets.

In the preference voting system, every vote ……………………. (counts / count / is counting). The voter simply …………………….. (ranks / is ranking / rank) candidates in order of preference (1, 2, 3  …). If their first preference …………………… (don’t / doesn’t / didn’t) receive enough votes, their votes ………………………… (will transfer / will be transferred / would be transferred) to their next preference.

In the list system, voters ………………………. (cast / casts / are casting) their votes for party lists. Party lists ………………………. (may be / maybe) open as in Norway, Finland , the Netherlands and Italy, where voters ………………………… (can / may / will) express preference for particular candidates within the list. Or they may be closed as in Israel, Portugal , Spain and Germany where voters can only select the party.

Answers

In the preference voting system, every vote counts. The voter simply ranks candidates in order of preference (1, 2, 3  …). If their first preference doesn’t receive enough votes, their votes will be transferred to their next preference.

In the list system, voters cast their votes for party lists. Party lists may be open as in Norway, Finland, the Netherlands and Italy , where voters can express preference for particular candidates within the list. Or they may be closed as in Israel, Portugal, Spain and Germany where voters can only select the party.