Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Proportional representation is an electoral system in which seats in a legislative body are allocated based on the proportion of votes each political party receives.
Related terms
Single Transferable Vote (STV): A form of proportional representation where voters rank candidates in order of preference, and surplus votes from elected candidates are transferred to other choices.
Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP): An electoral system that combines elements of both proportional representation and single-member districts.
List PR: A variant of proportional representation where political parties present a list of candidates, and seats are allocated based on the percentage of votes each party receives.