PROPORTIONAL
ADVANTAGES:
Fair and democratic
Share of seats by parties and independents will be close to their share of the vote accurate representation
Eliminates vote wastage, prevents gerrymandering and may reduce malapportionment
More likely to encourage nomination of more diverse range of candidates – more women and people from minority groups are elected under proportional voting
DISADVANTAGES
Leads to weaker relationship between voters and representatives
Voters more likely to vote by party, not select individual representative, increases party dominance of politics
Less likely one party or coalition will gain majority of seats and minor parties likely to hold ‘balance of power’
Final distribution of preferences can create a ‘lottery’ for last quota between several parties or independents, none of whom achieved a quota in their own right
When quota required is small, may lead to election of very radical groups
ADVANTAGES:
Fair and democratic
Share of seats by parties and independents will be close to their share of the vote accurate representation
Eliminates vote wastage, prevents gerrymandering and may reduce malapportionment
More likely to encourage nomination of more diverse range of candidates – more women and people from minority groups are elected under proportional voting
DISADVANTAGES
Leads to weaker relationship between voters and representatives
Voters more likely to vote by party, not select individual representative, increases party dominance of politics
Less likely one party or coalition will gain majority of seats and minor parties likely to hold ‘balance of power’
Final distribution of preferences can create a ‘lottery’ for last quota between several parties or independents, none of whom achieved a quota in their own right
When quota required is small, may lead to election of very radical groups