proportional representation

American  

noun

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

---

proportional representation British  

noun

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

---

proportional representation Cultural  

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.

---

Discover More

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.

Etymology

Origin of proportional representation

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Courts and advocacy groups increasingly treated proportional representation as a requirement.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

Despite his nationalist party Fidesz going from 135 seats to 52 in the 12 April vote, Orbán was re-elected as an MP on its proportional representation list.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026

The other 110 MPs are selected via proportional representation, which takes into account the proportion of votes cast for a political party.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

In the proportional representation vote, RSP were leading with nearly half of the counted votes -- but final results could take several more days.

From Barron's • Mar. 8, 2026

“Stephen, I didn’t study how to save your ass in Waynesboro. I majored in political science. If your problem was to do with proportional representation in Switzerland, I might be able to help you.”

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson