Main Attributes of Electoral Systems

• Electoral formula: three systems; examples



• District magnitude: number of candidates to be elected in a district.



• Electoral thresholds: explicit barrier to minor parties; divisor/quota formula used to allocate seats.



• Methods for translating votes into seats: formulas



• Disproportionality: the translation of seats into votes that results in some being overrepresented while others are underrepresented.



• Total membership of the body to be elected: affects proportionality of translating votes into seats.



• Presidential "coattails effect" on legislative elections: concurrent contests foster linkages.



• Malapportionment: district structure with unequal voting populations.



• Common effects across electoral systems: (1) all electoral systems yield disproportional results; (2) all reduce the effective number of parties; and (3) all can manufacture a parliamentary majority for parties that have not received majority support from the voters.