There are different types of electoral systems. The main ones are: proportional and majority. There is also a mixed electoral system. It provides a combination of proportional and majority system components in different versions. In one or another country, the option corresponding to the state structure is used.
Elections and electoral systems in some countries
German law provides for a special voting procedure. Thus, the mixed electoral system in this country is a proportional system using the element of majoritarianism. So, in accordance with the law, half of the parliamentary deputies are elected in the constituencies on proposals, and the rest - on the lists that are put forward in the lands. Thus, the mixed electoral system of Germany provides for each citizen to have two votes. The first is given for deputies in a single-member constituency, and the second - when voting for a party list.
It is believed that a deputy is elected if he scored the largest number of votes. If the quantity is equal, then a draw is held.
Experts believe that a mixed electoral system in Germany with a majority component is beneficial in the country, mainly to large parties. Thus, these parties have the opportunity to duplicate the most important candidates, nominating them in the districts and on party lists.
A mixed electoral system is also used in Russia. The proportional and majority component shares are equal.
In Egypt, the mixed-type electoral system provides for a combination of individual standing and party list elections. With individual nomination, voting takes place in districts. At the same time, one deputy is selected who has nominated himself independently. Other mandates are distributed among the candidates included in the party lists. Moreover, one person cannot be registered in the party list and individually. Otherwise, it is considered that he is nominated independently. An individual candidate becomes elected if more votes are cast for him in his district than for others. Moreover, more than twenty percent of all votes should be cast for him. If these conditions are not met, then a re-ballot occurs between the two candidates for whom the largest number of votes has been cast. If one candidate is nominated in the constituency, he shall be considered elected without a vote.
The remaining mandates are distributed according to party lists in accordance with the proportional system.
Interesting distribution of mandates in France is quite interesting. Voting is carried out strictly in accordance with party lists. The distribution of mandates takes place sequentially, in accordance with the proportional and majority system.
The municipality is one multi-member district. Lists of candidates are provided by political parties. Each list includes as many people as the number of deputies elected to the municipal council.
The distribution of half of the mandates is carried out in accordance with the majority principle. Thus, half of the seats are won by the party for whose list the majority of votes was cast.
The distribution of the remaining mandates is carried out among all participating parties in proportion to the number of votes that they received from voters. Moreover, that party, which has already received half of the seats, is taking part in the secondary distribution of mandates.
Thus, a mixed-type electoral system can have completely different options for combining the proportional and majority component, differing in this or that degree of democracy, as well as being adaptable to certain conditions of each state.