Unrepresentative electoral systems

Biased voting systems
Unjust voter registration procedure
Undemocratic voting systems

Nature

Unrepresentative electoral systems refer to voting frameworks that fail to accurately reflect the preferences and demographics of the electorate. These systems often lead to disproportionate representation, where certain groups are overrepresented while others are marginalized. Common examples include winner-takes-all systems and gerrymandering, which distort electoral outcomes. Such disparities can undermine democratic legitimacy, erode public trust, and contribute to political apathy. As a result, unrepresentative electoral systems pose significant challenges to achieving equitable governance and can hinder the effective functioning of democracy by limiting diverse voices in political decision-making.

Incidence

In the 1980 New York Senate Election, a conservative receiving only 45% the vote won, not because the state wanted a conservative, but because of the 2 other candidates, both liberals, one received 44% of the vote and the other 11%. If there had been only 2 candidates, one conservative facing one liberal, it is highly likely (and supported by an ABC News survey of voters) that the liberal would have been sent to Washington.

Claim

The approval voting system often works against the majority-wanted candidate when more than 2 candidates are in a race. The voter aware of this contradiction comes to realize that casting a ballot for his first choice might mean throwing his vote away, so he comes to improvise a voting strategy chosen to minimize losses rather than to express his sincere choice.

Counter-claim

Unrepresentative electoral systems are often overstated as a problem. Voter turnout and engagement are far more critical issues that overshadow the nuances of representation. Many citizens prioritize local issues and personal connections over abstract electoral fairness. Additionally, the diversity of political opinions ensures that no system can perfectly represent every voice. Focusing on improving civic education and participation would yield far greater benefits than obsessing over the imperfections of electoral systems.