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The Limited Vote

Voting Systems

The Limited Vote

What is the Limited Vote?

The Limited Vote, or Limited Voting, is a majoritarian voting system used in multi-member constituencies.
The Limited Vote allows each elector more than one vote, but fewer votes than there are candidates to choose from. The candidates with the most votes get elected.

Real-world application of the Limited Vote

  • The Spanish Senate.
  • Gibraltar's House of Assembly, where electors have eight votes for the 15 seats.
  • Various local-level elections, such as those for municipal offices in some US States.
  • Between 1867 and 1885, some Parliamentary constituencies in the UK.

Arguments used in support of the Limited Vote

  • It is relatively simple for voters to understand.
  • It encourages strong party organisation.

Arguments used against the Limited Vote

  • It doesn't tend to produce particularly proportional outcomes.