proportional representation

noun

: an electoral system in which the number of seats held by a political group or party in a legislative body is determined by the number of popular votes received

Examples of proportional representation in a Sentence

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Given the German system of proportional representation, the government tends to be formed in a coalition, usually headed by the CDU/CSU or the SPD. Sebastian Shukla, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024 The bottom line: Voters would need to elect more than 700 more moms to hit proportional representation nationwide, and one more in California, per the report. Kate Murphy, Axios, 23 Oct. 2024 To improve accountability, Brazilians should change the electoral system by making at least half of the seats in the legislature elected by majoritarian vote and by drastically reducing the size of the districts used for proportional representation. Eduardo Mello, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2018 Ireland uses a complex system of proportional representation in which each of the country’s 43 constituencies elects several lawmakers and voters rank candidates in order of preference. Jill Lawless and Peter Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for proportional representation 

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of proportional representation was in 1870

Dictionary Entries Near proportional representation

Cite this Entry

“Proportional representation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proportional%20representation. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

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