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d’Hondt formula

politics
Also known as: d’Hondt rule, highest-average rule

Quick Summary

The d'Hondt formula is a method used in party-list proportional representation electoral systems to allocate seats in a legislature. It aims to distribute seats proportionally to the votes each political party receives.

In this system, seats are awarded one by one to the party with the highest average number of votes. This average is calculated by dividing the party's total votes by the number of seats it has already won, plus one. This process slightly favors larger parties. The d'Hondt formula is used in countries like Austria, Belgium, Finland, and the Netherlands. It is one of several formulas used in proportional representation systems, which contrast with plurality or majority systems by ensuring minority parties have a chance at representation.123

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