Proportional Represntation in a Plurality

Proportional Represntation

In a plurality system an elector usually casts one vote for the candidate or the party list of candidates in some election district, and the candidate or party which receives a majority is elected (Balinski: 80). Dissatisfaction was growing in Europe in the nineteenth century with this system because it gave small parties virtually no representation whenever their adherents were distributed throughout many single-member election districts. In time, this dissatisfaction led to the birth of proportional representation which, in its pure form, is based upon the electors casting their vote for a party or party list in a multi-member district. Then, the seats are distributed among the parties according to their respective total number of votes (Ibid.). In other words, proportional representation is an electoral formula whose goal is to generate a close match between the percentage a group of candidates obtains in elections and the percentage of seats they are awarded in the national legislative assembly. As opposed to proportional representation, plurality voting systems result in a disproportional distribution of seats which are not proportionally linked to electoral outcome. The winner-take-all principle is applied in nearly all election in the United States. This system implies that the candidate who gets the most votes is elected as representatives whereas votes for the other candidates who participate in the elections are simply not taken into consideration. In November 2004 the elections held in the state of Colorado aimed at amending the state constitution so that the state apportioned its electoral votes. As far as electoral systems, there are only two states that are not based on strictly a winner-take-all system, i.e. Nebraska and Maine. Nevertheless, they are not strictly proportional representation systems either, but rather an adapter version which is based on who won in each congressional district. The amendment did not pass; in fact, it only received 34% of the votes thus the electoral system of winner-takes-it-all remained unchanged (Denver Post: 2004).

Ranking 22nd in terms of population, the state of Colorado is represented in Congress by 2 Senators and 7 Representatives. As far as congressional elections, proportional representation (PR) is based on the principle that any group of like-minded voters should win legislative seats in proportion to its share of the popular vote. Proportional representation would allow minor party candidates to overcome the formidable barrier imposed by the plurality system. Consequently, this new type of electoral system would ensure free and fair competition between all political parties irrespective of their size (Amy: More Choices for Voters). Nonetheless, there are numerous voices opposing such a shift in the electoral system that claim it would not be beneficial to the state of Colorado, as proportional representation makes it "less likely that Colorado will play a pivotal role in a presidential election." (Denver Post: 2004). Also, proportional representation would limit the number of the "safe seats" and would increase competition.