Understanding Electoral Systems: Majoritarian Formulas Explained
The Electoral System: Core Concepts
The electoral formula is the essential element of any electoral system. Electoral systems are classified based on the formula used for allocating seats, broadly categorized as majoritarian or proportional.
Understanding Electoral Formulas
An electoral formula processes the individual preferences expressed in valid votes, translating them into the electorate’s decision by allocating contested seats. For simplified analysis, electoral formulas are generally grouped into two main categories: majoritarian and proportional.
All electoral formulas aim to balance efficiency and justice, striving for governmental stability through a cohesive parliamentary composition while also allowing for the representation of minority political candidates.
Majoritarian Electoral Formulas
Majoritarian formulas have been widely used since the late nineteenth century. Their main aim was, and remains, to minimize fragmentation within legislative chambers and to secure a stable majority to support the government formed by the party that wins the most seats, even if it doesn’t secure the most votes nationwide.
These formulas strengthen the dominance of the victorious party. A political consequence of applying majoritarian formulas is the configuration of a two-party system or, at most, three parties of significant political weight. Votes cast for minority options are often ‘lost,’ leading to the triumph of strategic or ‘helpful’ voting to secure a seat.
Majoritarian formulas ensure that the candidate or candidates who obtain the most votes in a given electoral district secure the seat or seats at stake.
Simple or Relative Majority Formula
Under this formula, the candidate who obtains the most votes among all contenders wins. It is the simplest and is often used in single-member districts, with a long tradition in the Anglo-American world.
Absolute Majority Formula
The absolute majority formula aims to ensure that elected candidates secure majority support among voters in their districts, thereby addressing potential shortcomings of the simple majority system. There are several ways to achieve such a majority:
Two-Round Majority Formula
- In the first round, if no candidate wins an absolute majority of valid votes cast, no one is elected.
- This opens a period of reflection, during which candidates with the fewest votes typically withdraw. Electoral law usually sets a minimum percentage of votes for a candidate to proceed to the second round.
- In the second round, the candidate who receives the most votes wins.
Alternative Vote (Preferential Voting)
With alternative or preferential voting, the voter indicates their preferred candidate and then ranks other candidates in order of preference on the ballot. If the candidate ranked first wins an absolute majority, they secure the seat. If not, candidates with the fewest votes are eliminated, and their votes are redistributed based on the voters’ next preferences until a candidate achieves an absolute majority.
Majoritarian Formulas with Minority Representation
These formulas aim to correct the inequalities that can arise from pure majoritarian systems.
Limited Voting
Each voter can designate fewer candidates than the total number of positions to be filled. This system aims to provide minorities with an opportunity for representation. For example, in a provincial constituency with 4 Senator positions, voters might be limited to voting for a maximum of 3 candidates.
Cumulative Voting
The voter receives a number of votes equal to the number of seats available and can distribute them as they wish, even concentrating all votes on a single candidate. This mechanism can provide representation for minority parties if their supporters strategically concentrate their votes on a few candidates.