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first-past-the-post

noun

  1. (modifier) of or relating to a voting system in which a candidate may be elected by a simple majority rather than an absolute majority Compare proportional representation

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

There are no prizes for coming second in first-past-the-post, but capturing 36% of the vote after winning just 2% in 2021 is no mean feat.

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Hungary’s electoral system features a combination of national lists and first-past-the-post constituencies, as well as a rule that allows mostly conservative ethnic Hungarians in nearby countries—but not the more liberal Hungarian expats living elsewhere—to vote by mail.

Beating two of the party's four MPs to the leadership, the 42-year-old has already faced down the charge that he doesn't have the establishment heft of those elected to Parliament in a first-past-the-post system.

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The former system of proportional representation was replaced by something closer to the first-past-the-post system, as used in the UK.

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It was once seen as close to impossible to successfully launch a new political party in the UK, under Westminster's first-past-the-post voting system.

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