Home > 3.2 Proportional systems > Report on Proportional Electoral Systems: The Allocation of seats inside the lists (open/closed) lists
 
 
 
Download file    
 
 
Paragraph 46
 

In some countries, in addition to reordering the ranking of individual candidates given by the party, voters may delete candidates from the list selected. In most of the countries analysed in this category, the voters may choose a party list only – and the vote remains valid – or choose in addition individual preferences. In Iceland, voters cast a ballot for a constituency party list, and may change the ranking of candidates, or reject candidates on a list by crossing their names out. In Latvia, the voter may choose to put a “+” mark opposite the surname of any candidate, to cross out a candidate’s name or surname or to leave the ballot paper unannotated. In Monaco, while voters can choose only one ballot with one list, they can modify a ballot paper by deleting candidates and adding candidates from other lists. In Norway voters have the right to make changes on ballot papers, as explicitly stipulated in the electoral law: “At parliamentary elections an elector may change the order in which the candidates are listed on the ballot paper. This is done by the placing of a number by the name of the candidate. The elector may also delete the name of a candidate by the method indicated on the ballot.” However the changes (in sequence and deletions) must be done by a majority of those voting for a party, to take effect. Concretely, it never happens that the voters’ preferences change the parties’ priorities in parliamentary elections. In Switzerland, anyone who uses a pre-printed ballot paper may delete pre-printed candidate names. Voters may also delete the pre-printed reference number and electoral list designation or replace the same with the number and designation of a different list.