first-past-the-post

British  

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

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first-past-the-post

The researchers compared electoral systems around the world, including the UK's first-past-the-post model and the proportional systems used throughout much of Europe.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 2, 2026

Researchers from the University of Cambridge and the University of Copenhagen examined proportional representation and first-past-the-post systems.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 2, 2026

Indeed, first-past-the-post even means that a party that is losing support at the ballot box can still make significant gains in terms of seats if its principal opponents are losing votes even more heavily.

From BBC ● May 9, 2026

It includes 73 constituencies, elected first-past-the-post like seats at Westminster, as well as 56 more which use a form of proportional representation to balance things out.

From BBC ● May 7, 2026

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.

From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2025

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