Title: PROTOTYPE COLUMN

Different electoral systems

Read through the chat between two teenagers, then get together with your classmates: What do you already know about different electoral systems? Do you know any other countries besides those mentioned by Ahmad and Alissa where different electoral systems are used?

Electoral systems in EU member states

Now read the following infobox with information about the different electoral systems in the EU member states. Then look at the information texts about three different EU member states and their electoral systems.

 | Similarities | Differences
Political Situation |  |
Electoral System / Elections |  |

Fill out the table, using the information from the texts about the three countries.

Additional information for teachers

 | Similarities | Differences
 | All three countries are European nations. | Spain is in southwestern Europe, Ireland in northwestern Europe, and Romania at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeast Europe.
Political Situation | All three countries have a form of parliamentary democracy. | Spain is a unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy with a monarch and a Prime Minister. Ireland is a parliamentary democracy with a President and a Taoiseach. Romania is a unitary semi-presidential republic with a President and a Prime Minister.
Electoral System / Elections | All three countries use proportional representation systems. | Spain uses a proportional representation electoral system, Ireland uses the single transferable vote (STV) system, and Romania also uses a proportional representation system. The next general elections are scheduled for 2026 in Spain, 2025 in Ireland, and 2024 in Romania.

Q: Now take a look at the infobox with information about the elections in the USA. What electoral system is used here and how does it differ from those of the three countries you learned about in the info texts? Write a short text with your answer.
A: The electoral system used in the United States for presidential elections is the Electoral College system. In this system, voters in each state and the District of Columbia cast their ballots for a slate of electors pledged to a particular presidential candidate. These electors then meet to vote for the president and vice president. This system can differ significantly from other countries, such as the proportional representation system used in many European countries, where seats in the legislature are allocated based on the percentage of votes each party receives, or the parliamentary system in countries like the United Kingdom, where the head of the government is chosen by the majority party in the parliament, or the mixed-member proportional system used in countries like Germany, which combines direct and proportional representation elements. Each of these systems has its own method of translating votes into political power, creating different dynamics and outcomes in the electoral process.

Quiz

Test your knowledge about the different electoral systems to conclude. Can you answer all the questions? For help, take another look at the info box at the beginning of the worksheet.

Erste Frage

Q: Which electoral system is designed to allocate seats proportionally to the percentage of votes received by each party?
- Proportional Representation (correct)
- Majoritarian Voting
- Single Transferable Vote
- Mixed-Member Proportional Representation

Erste Frage

Q: In which country is the Mixed-Member Proportional Representation system used for the Bundestag elections?
- Italy
- France
- Hungary
- Germany (correct)

Erste Frage

Q: Which electoral system could lead to an overrepresentation of the strongest parties due to voters selecting multiple candidates?
- Block Voting (correct)
- Proportional Representation
- Majoritarian Voting
- Single Transferable Vote

Erste Frage

Q: Why does the Single Transferable Vote system minimize wasted votes?
- It allows voters to select multiple candidates
- It combines proportional representation with majoritarian voting
- Votes are redistributed according to voter preferences until all seats are filled (correct)
- Votes are only counted once

Erste Frage

Q: Which electoral system is used for the National Assembly elections in France?
- Single Transferable Vote
- Majoritarian Voting (correct)
- Proportional Representation
- Block Voting

Erste Frage

Q: Which system combines elements of proportional representation and majoritarian voting?
- Mixed-Member Proportional Representation (correct)
- Block Voting
- Single Transferable Vote
- Proportional Representation

Erste Frage

Q: Which electoral system is used for municipal elections in France?
- Majoritarian Voting
- Single Transferable Vote
- Block Voting (correct)
- Proportional Representation

Erste Frage

Q: Which electoral system is typically used in the United Kingdom for the House of Commons?
- Proportional Representation
- Mixed-Member Proportional Representation
- Single Transferable Vote
- Majoritarian Voting (correct)

Erste Frage

Q: Which electoral system is used in Ireland and allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference?
- Proportional Representation
- Mixed-Member Proportional Representation
- Majoritarian Voting
- Single Transferable Vote (correct)