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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Unlike its European neighbors Spain and Germany, where the proportional representation voting system lends itself to compromises, France is not accustomed to the coalition style of government. 
Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 June 2022 The exact number of seats won by each party in the 90-member assembly has yet to be decided under a system of proportional representation in which votes can be transferred from weaker candidates. Max Colchester, WSJ, 6 May 2022 The full results of Northern Ireland’s local election, which uses a system of proportional representation, were expected later Saturday. Sylvia Hui And Peter Morrison, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 May 2022 The full results of Thursday’s local election, which uses a system of proportional representation, were expected later in the weekend. Sylvia Hui And Peter Morrison, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2022 Full results of the election, which uses a system of proportional representation, are not expected until the weekend at the earliest. Jill Lawless And Peter Morrison, Anchorage Daily News, 4 May 2022 This middle ground recommends modest forms of proportional representation — enough to ensure that all groups can gain some power and share in coalitions, but not so much to lead to excessive fracture or many ethnic parties. Washington Post, 29 Apr. 2022 The practical challenges of establishing proportional representation in the Senate pale in relation to the political and governance hazards of making the Senate a mere reflection of the House. James Huffman, WSJ, 26 Dec. 2021 By contrast, since 1994, only five of the 14 House elections have produced a double-digit variance in seats from the national two-party vote, while seven of the 14 have come within five seats of exactly proportional representation. Dan Mclaughlin, National Review, 11 Feb. 2022 See More
Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 June 2022 The exact number of seats won by each party in the 90-member assembly has yet to be decided under a system of proportional representation in which votes can be transferred from weaker candidates. Max Colchester, WSJ, 6 May 2022 The full results of Northern Ireland’s local election, which uses a system of proportional representation, were expected later Saturday. Sylvia Hui And Peter Morrison, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 May 2022 The full results of Thursday’s local election, which uses a system of proportional representation, were expected later in the weekend. Sylvia Hui And Peter Morrison, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2022 Full results of the election, which uses a system of proportional representation, are not expected until the weekend at the earliest. Jill Lawless And Peter Morrison, Anchorage Daily News, 4 May 2022 This middle ground recommends modest forms of proportional representation — enough to ensure that all groups can gain some power and share in coalitions, but not so much to lead to excessive fracture or many ethnic parties. Washington Post, 29 Apr. 2022 The practical challenges of establishing proportional representation in the Senate pale in relation to the political and governance hazards of making the Senate a mere reflection of the House. James Huffman, WSJ, 26 Dec. 2021 By contrast, since 1994, only five of the 14 House elections have produced a double-digit variance in seats from the national two-party vote, while seven of the 14 have come within five seats of exactly proportional representation. Dan Mclaughlin, National Review, 11 Feb. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1870, in the meaning defined above