proportional representation

noun

1. a method of voting by which political parties are given legislative representation in proportion to their popular vote.

proportional representation

noun

1. PR. Compare: first-past-the-post. representation of parties in an elective body in proportion to the votes they win

proportional representation

1. An electoral system in which seats in a legislature are awarded to each party on the basis of its share of the popular vote. The United States does not use a system of proportional representation. Membership in the Senate and the House of Representatives, for example, is based on individual candidates' receiving a majority of votes. Such a system strongly encourages the formation of only two major political parties.

Though proportional representation has been attempted in a few American cities, many American politicians argue that it tends to fragment the government, preventing quick and decisive action.

In Israel and some nations in Europe, a system of proportional representation guarantees that small parties will have official recognition in the government, thus leading to a multiparty government.

Word History and Origins

Origin of proportional representation¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

If a similar result is replicated across the whole of Wales at the Senedd election next May - which will switch to a new proportional representation voting system - then the party could face an existential threat.

Read more on BBC

The Liberal Democrats have long backed electoral reform and support bringing in a form of proportional representation, which they feel would more fairly reflect people's votes.

Read more on BBC

The law’s text doesn’t mention majority-minority districts and stresses that it doesn’t establish a right to proportional representation.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In Wales, they have high hopes the new proportional representation voting system will allow the party to gain a foothold in the Senedd.

Read more on BBC

The election uses a system of proportional representation known as the Single Transferable Vote.

Read more on BBC