5.2.6 Proportional Representation


Jimmy Morrison, From Threadless Loves Democracy

Proportional Representation

A system of proportional representation involves candidates from more than two political parties. One is chosen based on his or her share of the popular vote. In proportional representation, political parties are represented in proportion to the amount of votes cast.

The Canadian and US systems do not use a system of proportional representation. They use what is called " first-past-the-post"—whoever gets the most votes wins.  For example, imagine you wanted to elect four candidates and you had three political parties with 100 votes cast. You have a list of candidates, each affiliated with a political party.

Party A
Party B
Party C
 50 votes
 25 votes
 25 votes

Under the plurality or "first-past-the-post" system, Party A would get all the seats. Under proportional representation, Party A would get 2 seats and Parties B and C would get one seat each. In this manner, the minority parties and the people who vote for them are represented in government. In our present system in Canada, those who voted for the smaller parties would not be represented at all.

In the 2004 Canadian federal election, although more than a half-million people voted for the Green Party, it elected no one. By contrast, less than a half-million Liberal voters in Atlantic Canada elected 23 MPs.

In both Canada and the United States, a movement is occurring to begin to use proportional representation because significant numbers of voters do not feel represented in parliament. Many feel this lack of true representation is a cause of the low voter turn-out in most Canadian and provincial elections.


Read about proportional representation by looking at the map and table on pages 344 and 345 of your text Perspectives on Ideology.

As you read, take notes on the following:
  • Does proportional representation accurately reflect the will of the people?


"Electoral Reform: Dual Member Proportional Explained", DMP for Canada, You-tube 

 





"Mixed-Member Proportional Representation Explained", CGP Grey, You-tube