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 | [e-mail], 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 | [e-mail], al, 13 Aug. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above