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Does a Least-Preferred Candidate Win a Seat? A Comparison of Three Electoral Systems

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  • Yoichi Hizen

    (School of Management, Kochi University of Technology, 185 Miyanokuchi, Tosayamada-cho, Kami-city, Kochi 782-8502, Japan)

Abstract

In this paper, the differences between two variations of proportional representation (PR), open-list PR and closed-list PR, are analyzed in terms of their ability to accurately reflect voter preference. The single nontransferable vote (SNTV) is also included in the comparison as a benchmark. We construct a model of voting equilibria with a candidate who is least preferred by voters in the sense that replacing the least-preferred candidate in the set of winners with any loser is Pareto improving, and our focus is on whether the least-preferred candidate wins under each electoral system. We demonstrate that the least-preferred candidate never wins under the SNTV, but can win under open-list PR, although this is less likely than winning under closed-list PR.

Suggested Citation

  • Yoichi Hizen, 2015. "Does a Least-Preferred Candidate Win a Seat? A Comparison of Three Electoral Systems," Economies, MDPI, vol. 3(1), pages 1-35, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jecomi:v:3:y:2015:i:1:p:2-36:d:45233
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    References listed on IDEAS

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