Similar to list systems, the single transferable vote is also based on dividing a country or province into multi-member districts, where parties bring forward a number of candidates to compete for a number of seats.

With STV, voters rank candidates on the ballot in order of preference, 1, 2, 3, etc. The distinctive feature of STV is that voters can vote across party lines, or in any manner they wish. They can structure their vote by party, by gender, by ethnic group, by geographic location or whatever criteria they wish.

Candidates are elected by reaching a quota of votes (based on the number of seats in the district and number of votes cast). If a candidate receives twice as many votes as needed to get elected, the other half of each vote will be transferred to the next preference on the ballots. If a candidate is eliminated, then that candidate’s votes will also be transferred to the next preference on each ballot.

STV is used in Ireland, Malta and for the Australian Senate, and was used in many western Canadian municipalities in the early 20th century.

The BC Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform recommended an STV system for British Columbia.