Proportional representation reserves seats for the legislature for specific groups, such as women, religious and ethnic minorities, and rural communities. This is to ensure representation and diversity in voices being represented in the government.
Some characteristics of proportional representation is the use of multimember districts and dividing the seats up for the different groups in those multimember districts.
Party List Voting
Over 80% of proportional representation uses party list voting. It is used in countries in Europe and South Africa.
There is a closed and open list system. For a closed list system, the voter has one vote, and that vote will go towards all the candidates under one party. This was the original way of proportional representation.
Open list system has come up recently. This gives the voter an option to vote for candidates in multiple parties-- not just one party.
Mixed Member Proportional Representation
Known as the two vote system and the German system, it is a mix between single-member district system and proportional voting system. It developed in West Germany after World War II, and it spread to Bolivia and Venezuela.
There are two sides in the ballot. On the left side, voters vote for a district representative or legislator. On the right side, voters would choose the political party they prefer.
Some characteristics of proportional representation is the use of multimember districts and dividing the seats up for the different groups in those multimember districts.
Party List Voting
Over 80% of proportional representation uses party list voting. It is used in countries in Europe and South Africa.
There is a closed and open list system. For a closed list system, the voter has one vote, and that vote will go towards all the candidates under one party. This was the original way of proportional representation.
Open list system has come up recently. This gives the voter an option to vote for candidates in multiple parties-- not just one party.
Mixed Member Proportional Representation
Known as the two vote system and the German system, it is a mix between single-member district system and proportional voting system. It developed in West Germany after World War II, and it spread to Bolivia and Venezuela.
There are two sides in the ballot. On the left side, voters vote for a district representative or legislator. On the right side, voters would choose the political party they prefer.
Image from FairVote
Single Transferable Vote
This is known as the “Hare-Clark” System in Australia. In the U.S, it is called choice voting. This type of voting system is used in Italy and Malta and for the Senate in Australia.
Voters rank all candidates in order based on their preferences with “1” being most preferred. Candidates need to reach a certain quota of votes in order to win.
This is known as the “Hare-Clark” System in Australia. In the U.S, it is called choice voting. This type of voting system is used in Italy and Malta and for the Senate in Australia.
Voters rank all candidates in order based on their preferences with “1” being most preferred. Candidates need to reach a certain quota of votes in order to win.
Image from FairVote
RESOURCES
| proportionalrepresentation.pdf |