First-Past-the-Post

Definition

First-past-the-post is a voting system where candidates with the most votes win, regardless of whether they have a majority or not.

Related terms

Plurality: Plurality refers to receiving more votes than any other candidate but not necessarily obtaining an absolute majority. In first-past-the-post systems, winning candidates often secure victory through plurality rather than majority support.

Runoff Election: A runoff election occurs when no candidate in a first-past-the-post system receives an absolute majority of votes. The top two candidates face off in another round of voting to determine the winner.

Gerrymandering: Gerrymandering involves manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor one political party over others. This practice can influence election outcomes in favor of certain candidates or parties by strategically grouping voters based on their political preferences.