5 Elections and Electoral Systems Free Online FlashCards

What do electoral rules determine?

They determine who may vote and stand for office, how ballots are cast and counted, and how votes become seats.

What is district magnitude?

District magnitude is the number of representatives elected from a district.

How do closed and open party lists differ?

In a closed list, the party sets candidate order. In an open list, voters can influence which listed candidates win.

How does single-member plurality decide a winner?

The candidate with more votes than any rival wins, even without a majority. Votes for losing candidates do not elect anyone in that district.

When does a two-round system hold a second vote?

A second vote is held if no candidate reaches the required threshold in the first round.

What is the aim of proportional representation?

Proportional representation aims to allocate parties seats in relation to their vote shares, usually in multi-member districts.

What is an electoral threshold?

A threshold is a minimum vote share or other requirement a party must meet to qualify for seats; it can limit smaller parties’ representation.

How does mixed-member proportional representation use list seats?

MMP uses list seats to bring parties’ overall seat totals closer to their vote shares, subject to the system’s rules.

Why might voters vote strategically in winner-take-all districts?

They may support a leading candidate rather than their first choice if they fear their preferred candidate cannot win.

How can larger PR districts affect smaller parties?

Larger districts generally make it easier for smaller parties to win seats, though thresholds and allocation formulas can limit this effect.

What are three dimensions of representation?

Geographic representation connects elected members to places; party representation reflects political preferences; descriptive representation concerns inclusion of different social groups.

Why do electoral rules alone not determine political outcomes?

Their effects also depend on party organization, social divisions, institutions, campaign resources, and whether elections are free and fair; no single formula is best for every context.