proportional representation

American  

noun

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

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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

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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.

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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

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

Elections on Thursday chose a new 275-member House of Representatives, the lower house of parliament, with 185 seats chosen directly, and 110 by a proportional representation vote.

From Barron's • Mar. 8, 2026

The process to select regional MSPs uses a type of proportional representation.

From BBC • Feb. 16, 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