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The Additional Member System (AMS), or Mixed-Member Proportional representation, is a hybrid electoral system that aims to provide a balance between direct constituency representation and proportional representation. It allows voters to cast two votes, one for a local candidate and another for a political party, ensuring that the composition of the legislature reflects the public's party preferences. This system is used in countries like Germany, New Zealand, and Scotland to enhance democratic fairness and representation.
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AMS combines elements of both single-member districts and party list voting to achieve a more proportional representation in the legislature
Plurality Method
In AMS, voters choose a candidate to represent their local constituency through a plurality method, such as first-past-the-post
The second vote in AMS is for a political party, which determines the proportional allocation of additional seats in the legislature
The electorate is provided with two separate ballots in AMS - one for selecting a local representative and one for a political party
Formula for Allocation
The d'Hondt method is commonly used to allocate additional seats in AMS, which divides the number of votes a party receives by the number of seats it has already won plus one
The Scottish Parliament uses AMS to ensure that the overall composition of the legislature reflects the distribution of public support for each political party
AMS aims to strike a balance between direct representation of local constituencies and proportional representation of political parties in the legislature
AMS allows for smaller parties to have a voice in the legislative process, promoting a more diverse and representative political environment
Complexity
The dual voting process in AMS can be challenging for voters to understand, potentially leading to lower voter turnout
Two-Tier System of Representatives
AMS may result in a two-tier system of representatives, where those elected from constituencies and those from party lists may have different perceptions of their mandate
Disproportional Outcomes
In some cases, AMS may still lead to disproportional outcomes, especially if a party wins a large number of constituency seats
While both AMS and PR systems aim to ensure a fair translation of votes into legislative seats, they differ in their approach, with AMS being a mixed system and PR systems being solely based on proportional representation
The choice between AMS and PR depends on the desired balance between maintaining a direct link between voters and their representatives and achieving a legislature that mirrors the electorate's party preferences
AMS focuses on balancing constituency representation and proportional representation, while PR systems prioritize a more precise correspondence between the percentage of votes and seats
AMS is a nuanced electoral mechanism that seeks to combine the simplicity of plurality systems with the equitable seat distribution of proportional representation
AMS is committed to fair representation and allows for smaller parties to have a voice in the legislative process
The approach of AMS to representation is designed to reflect the diversity of voices within a democracy, making it adaptable to various political contexts
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AMS Voting Structure
Two votes per voter: one for local candidate, one for political party.
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AMS Constituency Representation
Local candidates elected by plurality, such as first-past-the-post.
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AMS Proportional Allocation
Additional seats distributed based on party vote to reflect overall support.
