AV voting "The Test"

A quick look at Labours leadership election tells a good story about AV voting

There were 5 candidates to start with

first round

Diane Abbott: 7.42%

Ed Balls: 11.79%

Andy Burnham: 8.68%

David Miliband: 37.78%

Ed Miliband: 34.33%

David won but as did not get more than 50% overall, Diane Abbott was eliminated and her second preference votes distributed to the others.

Second round

Ed Balls: 13.3%

Andy Burnham: 10.41%

David Miliband: 38.89%

Ed Miliband: 37.47%

David won again but as he did not get more than 50% of the vote, Andy Burnham was eliminated and his preference votes distributed to the others.

Third Round

Ed Balls: 16.02%

David Miliband: 42.72%

Ed Miliband: 41.26%

David won yet again but as he did not get more than 50% of the vote, Ed Balls  was eliminated and his preference votes distributed

Fourth Round

David Miliband 49.35%

Ed Miliband 50.65%

David lost after being the main choice in 3 rounds, yet the loser of 3 rounds Ed Miliband passed the 50% threshold and was the winner. put there by 2nd or 3rd level preference votes.

With AV voting this could happen in Sandwell