Close elections - Definition and Overview

No Voting system can guarantee a clear result all the time, even FPTP.

Some close elections, where the winner won a bare majority, or where a third party or independents hold the balance of power include:

Australia

• 1901-1913 party system yet to crystalise.
• 1919 - introduce IRV (preferential voting)
• 1939 - balance of power held by 2 independents.
• 1961 - majority of 1 - 1963 election one year early to exploit opportunity to gain larger majority.

New South Wales

• 19?? - introduce IRV
• 1976 - majority of 1
• 1992 - 3 independents hold balance of power
• 1995 - majority of 3

South Australia

• 1966 - Centre party holds balance of power - 1 seat

Canada

• Canadian federal election, 1957 PC 109, Lib 105, CCF 25, SC 19, Ind 5
• Canadian federal election, 1972 Lib. 109, PC 107, NDP 31, SC 15, Ind 2

British Columbia

• British Columbia general election, 1996 NDP 39, Lib 33, Ref 2, PDA 1

Saskatchewan

• Saskatchewan general election, 1929 Lib 28, Cons 24, Prog 5, Ind 6
• Saskatchewan general election, 1999 NDP 29, Sask 25, Lib 4
• Saskatchewan general election, 2003 NDP 30, Sask 28

Manitoba

• Manitoba general election, 1969 NDP 28, PC 22, Lib 5, SC 1, Ind 1
• Manitoba general election, 1986 NDP 30, PC 26, Lib 1
• Manitoba general election, 1988 PC 25, Lib 20, NDP 12

Ontario

• Ontario general election, 1867 Cons 41, Lib 41
• Ontario general election, 1871 Lib 43, Cons 38, Ind 1
• Ontario general election, 1902 Lib 50, Cons 48
• Ontario general election, 1943 PC 38, CCF 34, Lib 15
• Ontario general election, 1985 PC 52, Lib 48, NDP 25

Quebec

• Quebec general election, 1878 Cons 32, Lib 31, Ind 2
• Quebec general election, 1886 Lib 33, Cons 26, Ind 6
• Quebec general election, 1966 UN 56, Lib 50, Ind 2

New Brunswick

• New Brunswick general election, 1978 PC 30, Lib 28
• New Brunswick general election, 2003 PC 28, Lib 26, NDP 1

Yukon

• Yukon general election, 1992 Yuk 7, NDP 6, Lib 1, Ind 3
• Yukon general election, 1989 NDP 9, PC 7
• Yukon general election, 1985 NDP 8, PC 6, Lib 2

United Kingdom

• FPTP
• 1974-1979 - third parties hold balance of power

See also

The opposite of a result that is too close is one that is too lop-sided.