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

Recent Examples on the Web Norris’s rich classic reminds us that almost all European countries elect their governments through multiparty proportional representation systems and that such systems incentivize political moderation and compromise through coalition government. John Maynard Keynes, Foreign Affairs, 6 Sep. 2022 This is one reason why last year, more than 200 political scientists, historians, and legal experts signed an open letter to Congress calling for the adoption of proportional representation. Lee Drutman, TIME, 21 Oct. 2023 Congress could also theoretically require all states to adopt proportional representation for House races and end gerrymandering forever. Matt Ford, The New Republic, 26 Oct. 2023 This is one reason why the overwhelming majority of the world’s democratic countries use proportional representation for their elections, where districts elect multiple representatives to Congress in proportion to their party’s share of the vote. Lee Drutman, TIME, 21 Oct. 2023 One thing is clear: So long as some parents and advocacy groups tacitly define fairness as proportional representation in selective educational institutions, this struggle will continue until the courts clarify what’s constitutionally permissible in admissions and what isn’t. William A. Galston, WSJ, 4 Oct. 2022 Does the law require proportional representation for minorities? Mike Cason | McAson@al.com, al, 6 Sep. 2023 There was also proportional representation of the LGBTQIA+ community among regular characters in series. Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Apr. 2023 The National Republican Redistricting Trust, which filed a brief in support of the state, said the Voting Rights Act does not require or even allow forcing proportional representation while violating traditional redistricting principals. Mike Cason | McAson@al.com, al, 13 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'proportional representation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 6 Dec. 2023.

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