POLYAS Election Glossary

We provide explanations and background information on elections, voting rights and digital democracy

Proportional Representation

Proportional representation results in parliamentary seats being allocated to parties based on the percentage of the total vote they won in the election. Distributing the seats according to the proportion of votes cast allows every vote to be taken into account. There are a number of different methods of calculating the exact allocation of seats: D'Hondt highest averages systemWebster method as well as the Hare-Niemeyer method

The opposite of proportional representation is majority voting.

Personal proportional representation

Personal proportional representation can be used if there are several lists (ballot-paper type “Other election types”) and votes cannot be cast at list level. Similar to non-personal proportional representation, seats are won from several lists (although this corresponds to the sum of the votes cast on the candidates on the list), if necessary allowing for a percentage hurdle at list level. Seats are allocated to the individual candidates on a list based on the number of votes they receive.

Advantages of proportional representation

By calculating the ratio of votes, all votes are taken into account and a participatory awareness can be created. Also, less popular interest groups have a chance of winning a seat, so that the election result is a closer representation of the electorate as a whole.

 

Advantages of proportional representation

By calculating the ratio of votes, all votes are taken into account and a participatory awareness can be created. Also, less popular interest groups have a chance of winning a seat, so that the election result is a closer representation of the electorate as a whole.

Learn more about proportional representation and which institutions are best suited to this election method

See also: Majority Vote, First past the post , D'Honst method, Hare-Niemeyer method, Webster method


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