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 Since the 1980s, the Democratic Party has mandated that states use some form of proportional representation to allocate delegates based on the results of the primaries and caucuses. Caitlin Jewitt, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2024 The country’s electoral system, which relies on proportional representation, had in recent decades allowed the entry of ever more fringe and extreme political parties into the Knesset, the Israeli parliament. Ilan Z. Baron, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2024 The delegates were distributed using a proportional representation system based on the results of the state’s presidential preference election in the spring, according to a guide from the state party. Stephanie Murray, The Arizona Republic, 21 July 2024 For many electoral reform groups, the answer is simple: switch to a new system of proportional representation, in which seats are awarded based on a party’s vote share. Katie Marie Davies, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for proportional representation 

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 14 Oct. 2024.

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