Electoral Systems and Rules - AP Comparative Government

Introduction

• Every four years, the US holds a Presidential election.
• AP Comparative Government requires understanding electoral systems and election rules across various countries.
• Key vocabulary is essential to grasp these concepts.

Key Terms

Single-Member District

• Electoral system where one officeholder is elected per district.
• Known as single-winner voting or winner-takes-all.
• Example: US Senators are elected from single-member districts.

Multi-Member District

• More than one representative is elected per district.
• Example: Two representatives with different vote percentages can both be elected.

Proportional Representation

• Parties gain seats proportionate to votes received.
• Seats are allocated based on the number of votes.

Quotas

• Fixed minimum or maximum for certain groups.
• Example: Reserved legislative seats for underrepresented groups.

First-Past-the-Post

• Plurality voting system; candidate with most votes wins.
• Typically used in single-member districts.

Electoral System

• Set of rules for conducting elections and determining results.

Electoral Systems by Country

UK

• House of Commons uses single-member district, first-past-the-post.
• Example: Kent sends one member to parliament based on candidate with most votes.

Mexico

• Congress of the Union: two chambers.
  • Chamber of Deputies: 300 members via single-member districts, 200 by proportional representation.
  • Chamber of Senators: 96 elected in three-seat constituencies, 32 by proportional representation.
  • Gender quotas increase female participation.

Nigeria

• House of Representatives: Directly elected in single-member districts.
• Senate: 3 members from each state, elected with first-past-the-post.

Russia

• State Duma: Half elected from single-member districts, half via proportional representation (7% threshold).

China

• National People's Congress: Members chosen indirectly through local and regional elections.

Iran

• Majles: Elected in single and multi-member districts.
• Guardian Council vets candidates.
• Some seats reserved for non-Muslim minorities.

Observations

• Topic 4.1 requires describing electoral systems and rules.
• Most countries use single or multi-member districts for legislative branches.
• Proportional representation requires multi-member districts and multiple parties.
• Authoritarian systems often emphasize party control over electoral processes.

Additional Key Terms

Electoral System

• Rules for elections and determining representatives.

First-Past-the-Post

• Voting system where the candidate with most votes wins.

Guardian Council

• Iran's powerful body that vets election candidates and legislation.

Majles

• Iran's unicameral parliament playing a crucial political role.

National People's Congress

• China's highest legislative body with law-making powers.

Quotas

• Reserved seats for promoting diversity and representation.