Three Common Electoral Systems + One Not-So-Common System

• First-past-the post system: plurality or majority of the vote wins. Alternative vote (rank-order balloting with majoritarian results) (Australia, Irish presidential elections).



• Majority formulas (single-member districts): requires majority to win. Need majority run-offs or majority-plurality (French legislative elections).



• Proportional representation (PR) systems: 3 types = lists, mixed member, and single transferable vote (rank-order balloting with proportional results) (Ireland, Malta, and senate elections in Australia).



• Semi-Proportional systems: single non-transferable vote (M>1, voters have limited votes, top vote-getters win; e.g., Japan before 1996 and Taiwan); parallel-plurality-PR (mixed-member system without PR-side seat reductions; e.g., Japan since 1996).