Elections + Representation Systems (General) Flashcards
Single Member District Term
Electoral district represented by a single officeholder - districts are based on population density (individual districts)
SM District Advantages
- promotes 2 Party System
- minimizes minority party influence
- reduces coalition government
- increases accountability (ONLY 1 REP)
- provides geographical representation
SM District Disadvantages
- reduces competition; “safe seats”
- under representation
- gerrymandering
- must redraw districts; inconsistent
- geographic lines are not indicative of community interests, needs, or identity
Multi-Member District Term
Electoral district with 2+ in a legislative body - likely to be in a proportional representation system
MM District Advantages
- allows more voices/choices
- more representation for minority voters
- keep the boundaries set EVEN if the population increases or decreases
- shares the workload
- reduces gerrymandering
- works against the 2 Party Model
MM District Disadvantages
- dilute the relationship between representatives and votes
- slows things down because more minority parties have seats
- increases coalition governments
- diminishes accountability of individual representatives
Coalition Government
When 2+ parties join together to form a majority (or minority) in a national legislature
Majority
when a candidate receives over 50% of total votes; “winner-takes-all” (MAJORITARIAN)
Plurality
when a candidate receives a larger number of votes than his/her opponents
First-Past-Post (FPP)
A single winner system where “winner-takes-all”. The election is won by the candidate receiving MORE VOTES THAN ANY OTHER CANDIDATE.
- Could be plurality or majority depending on # of candidates
- very common in electoral systems with single member districts
- generally results over time in a 2 Party competition
Proportional Representation
- can refer to the seats OR the way elections are conducted
- PR is for seats, plurality is for the voting system
- parties gain seats in proportion to the number of voters who voted for them
Two/Multi-Round System
A single winner contest that usually involves a run-off between the top 2-3 candidates. Likely to be Majoritarian (FPP)
- Proceeds to 2nd round is in the first round no candidate received more than 50% of the votes cast
- Criteria!
Majoritarian Countries
UK, Nigeria, Iran*
- UK and Nigeria use FPP
- Iran is not FPP, they use a 2 Round System for Majlis election)
Mixture Countries
Mexico and Russia use a mixture of Majoritarian and plurality
Unique Countries
China holds no citizen elections - elections are only on local and regional level for NCP (no national elections held)
