Voting: better to give all candidates a preference or end at your lowest choice?

[RedForShort]

I'm never too sure about this.

I usually end at my lowest choice, don't want to give any preference to candidates I really dislike (along with the candidates that I haven't a clue who they are as they don't seem to have campaigned!!)

But the husband thinks it's better to give all a preference. Don't really get his argument that it's because if you don't your vote might not count (in the case where your no1 is a shoe in). Well I get what he means just don't get how it's a waste - you might end up giving a vote to someone you don't want in. Or is that likely!!

Evidently stating to over think it, and getting myself in knots so appreciate anyone with more clarity giving their point of view!!!!

You vote for a party under the De Hondt system, so one vote only.

You only have one vote for one party

I believe if you’re in NI it’s the system OP describes. Don’t give a preference to people you don’t want to vote for at all. Otherwise you may well end up voting for them!

Oh sorry; just have added 'NB: this is in Craicnet'!!

In the Republic of Ireland; not Northern Ireland. I'm asking about vote transfters in proportional representation. If it's better to give a 17 or nothing to someone you don't want to see elected.

That's my thinking YourOP. But plenty of others seem to feel it's better not too.

There's some oddities going for MEP here!! With the council elections there's a few I'd rather not see elected (and there's fewer candidates).

*But plenty of others seem to feel it's better not too leave boxes blank.

Or in fact anywhere in Ireland

Cross post

Ha!! Mine too.

Sounds like I was being snooty about your suggestion I was in NI!!

Wasn't - was just explaining the difference in case anyone reading thought NI voting system is the same as the rest of the UK.

Basically as I understand it they go down the list of your preferences and anyone you Don’t want to vote for shouldn’t be on that list at all. Here’s a more detailed explanation www.thejournal.ie/how-does-prstv-work-2619448-Feb2016/

I generally go as far as the candidates I want to vote for - so I might go down as far as 4 or 5 and leave the rest blank. However, if there is a candidate you really don't like, it's a good idea to go all the way down the list and leave that person at the end. I've done this a couple of times to try to keep someone out.

Ultimately the further down you go, the more of a say you're getting. Though in reality your vote will most likely land on one of your top three anyway.

sorry, didn't notice where this was posted. On the positive side I can now learn about how it is done elsewhere. So that's good.

Still a bit unsure of what's better.

Mind you if I'd gone all they way down the pencil might have disappeared. The ballot papers were long!!!!

Is it only me who starts with whoever I hate the most, and then go upwards? Unless you're completely indifferent between the bottom candidates I'd still go all the way down, you never know when an 8th preference will be decisive...

Kind of do the same. Those I hate I give nothing to. The indifferent ones I put at the bottom.

I only vote for the ones I least like. So that might be 1,2,3.
The local election ballot paper was soo long.
In my area one candidate 'ran away with it'.
I'm still as I've no idea why. He didn't make any impression on me.

I'm the same as you then. (Also the first one in was someone I didn't vote for!!)

I just don't get how not giving everyone a preference means your wasting your vote or not having as much as a say. As I see it, if I give someone I don't want in a 17 and it comes to 17 (unlikely I know) then I've effectively voted for them haven't I!!