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In late 1986 the Royal Commission on the Electoral System in New Zealand published its report. The Commission's recommendations were both radical and comprehensive. Amongst other things it proposed the introduction of a mixed member proportional (MMP) electoral system, the abolition of the four Maori seats, a substantial increase in the number of MPs, the state funding of political parties, and various changes to the system of boundary redistribution and the administration of elections. This paper outlines the background to the establishment of the Royal Commission, briefly examines the Commission's principal findings, and considers the prospects for reform. (Internat. Polit. Science Assoc.)

Background and findings of the 1986 report of the Royal Commission on the Electoral System in New Zealand. Recommends a mixed member proportional electoral system, the abolition of the four Maori seats, a substantial increase in the number of MPs, the state funding of political parties, and various changes to the system of boundary redistribution and the administration of elections.

THE BOUNDARY COMMISSION'S 1976-83 REVIEW OF PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCIES IN BRITAIN WAS THE MOST SWEEPING SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE. NINETY PER CENT OF THE SEATS ARE NEW OR REVISED. THIS IS DUE TO TWO FACTORS: THE POPULATION CHANGES WHICH HAVE CONTINUED TO DEMONSTRATE A MIGRATION FROM INNER CITIES TO SUBURBS AND THE COUNTRYSIDE; AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATIVE REVISIONS OF THE EARLY 1970S, WHICH ARE REFLECTED IN THE LINES AND NOMENCLATURE OF THE NEW HOUSE OF COMMONS UNITS. THE 1983 REDISTRIBUTION HAD POLITICAL AND ELECTORAL EFFECTS. THE LABOUR PARTY, WHICH LAUNCHED AN EXPENSIVE BUT UNSUCCESSFUL COURT CASE AGAINST THE BOUNDARY COMMISSION, WAS RIGHT TO BELIEVE THAT THE NEW BOUNDARIES WOULD FAVOUR THE CONSERVATIVES, TO THE EXTENT OF INCREASING THE TORY MAJORITY BY ABOUT 30 SEATS. HOWEVER, THIS WAS NOT DUE TO BIAS ON THE PART OF THE COMMISSION, BUT A REFLECTION OF LABOUR'S DISPROPORTIONATE STRENGTH IN PREVIOUSLY OVER-REPRESENTED URBAN CONSTITUENCIES. NEVERTHELESS, THE COMMISSION'S POLICY HAS BEEN INCONSISTENT IN A NUMBER OF RESPECTS. ITS PROCEDURE HAS ALSO BEEN VERY SLOW, COMPARED WITH THAT IN OTHER COUNTRIES, AND MANY OF ITS RECOMMENDATIONS ARE ALREADY OUTDATED. MORE FREQUENT AND MORE SPEEDY REVIEWS MAY WELL BE ADVISABLE IN FUTURE.

The report of the Kennedy Commission on Registration & Voter Participation, the 1964 Current Pop Survey of the Census Bur, & other data indicate a number of facts about US voter participation. People tend to 'overstate' their participation to elections. AIen vote more than women, the middle-aged more than the young & the elderly, whites more than Negroes. The curve of voter turnout parallels those of edue & income. Turnout is generally greater in elections for higher gov levels & greater in general than in primary elections. One group of nonvoters is deterred by such major legal- administration obstacles as citizenship, registration, & absentee voting requirements, racial & religious disabilities, & admin'ive regulations for voting times & locations. A 2nd group of nonvoters are those who meet legaladmin'ive requirements but exhibit 'lack of involvement.' Age, sex, & SES affect lack of involvement. So do importance & closeness of elections & competitiveness of the pol'al atmosphere. Total voter participation in elections is a dubious goal. Perhaps the goal should rather be to increase access to the polls by eliminating or altering legal & admin'ive barriers to voluntary voting. IIA.