United States |
First Past the Post |
Federal Republic |
Used for most elections, single-member districts. |
United Kingdom |
First Past the Post |
Constitutional Monarchy |
Used for House of Commons elections. |
Canada |
First Past the Post |
Parliamentary Democracy |
Used for federal and provincial elections. |
Germany |
Mixed-Member Proportional |
Federal Republic |
Combines FPTP and proportional representation. |
Australia |
Preferential Voting |
Parliamentary Democracy |
Voters rank candidates in order of preference. |
New Zealand |
Mixed-Member Proportional |
Parliamentary Democracy |
Allows voters to cast two votes: for a party and a candidate. |
Sweden |
Proportional Representation |
Parliamentary Democracy |
Uses a list system for parliamentary elections. |
Norway |
Proportional Representation |
Constitutional Monarchy |
Party-list proportional representation. |
Finland |
Proportional Representation |
Parliamentary Republic |
D'Hondt method for allocating seats. |
France |
Two-Round System |
Semi-Presidential Republic |
Majority required in the first round; if not, a second round is held. |
Italy |
Mixed-Member Proportional |
Parliamentary Republic |
Combination of FPTP and proportional representation. |
Brazil |
Proportional Representation |
Federal Republic |
Party-list proportional representation with an open list. |
India |
First Past the Post |
Federal Republic |
Used for Lok Sabha (House of the People) elections. |
Japan |
Mixed-Member Electoral System |
Unitary Parliamentary Democracy |
Combination of single-member districts and proportional representation. |
South Africa |
Proportional Representation |
Parliamentary Republic |
Closed party lists; no single-member districts. |
Argentina |
Proportional Representation |
Federal Republic |
Open list system for legislative elections. |
Spain |
Proportional Representation |
Parliamentary Monarchy |
D'Hondt method used for allocating seats. |
Israel |
Proportional Representation |
Parliamentary Democracy |
Single national list; no electoral threshold. |
Mexico |
Mixed-Member Proportional |
Federal Republic |
Combination of FPTP and proportional representation. |
Russia |
Mixed Electoral System |
Federal Semi-Presidential Republic |
Combination of plurality and proportional representation. |
South Korea |
Mixed-Member Proportional |
Presidential Republic |
Combination of FPTP and proportional representation. |
Netherlands |
Proportional Representation |
Constitutional Monarchy |
Open list system for parties. |
Chile |
Mixed Electoral System |
Presidential Republic |
Combination of proportional representation and majority systems. |
Colombia |
Mixed Electoral System |
Presidential Republic |
Combination of FPTP for some seats and proportional representation for others. |
Philippines |
Two-Round System |
Unitary Presidential Republic |
FPTP for the House of Representatives with some party-list representation. |
Pakistan |
First Past the Post |
Federal Parliamentary Republic |
Used for National Assembly elections. |
Bangladesh |
First Past the Post |
Unitary Parliamentary Republic |
Used for Jatiya Sangsad elections. |
Nigeria |
First Past the Post |
Federal Presidential Republic |
Used for Presidential and National Assembly elections. |
Turkey |
Proportional Representation |
Presidential Republic |
Threshold of 7% for parties to enter parliament. |
Indonesia |
Proportional Representation |
Presidential Republic |
Closed list proportional representation. |
Malaysia |
First Past the Post |
Federal Constitutional Monarchy |
Used for parliamentary elections. |
Vietnam |
Single-Party System |
Socialist Republic |
Elections held under a single party. |
Singapore |
First Past the Post |
Parliamentary Republic |
Elections conducted every five years. |
Taiwan |
Mixed-Member Proportional |
Democratic Republic |
Combination of FPTP and proportional representation. |
Thailand |
Mixed-Member Proportional |
Constitutional Monarchy |
Hybrid of direct elections and party-list representation. |
Ukraine |
Mixed Electoral System |
Unitary Parliamentary Republic |
FPTP and proportional representation with a 5% threshold. |
Morocco |
Proportional Representation |
Constitutional Monarchy |
Party-list system with proportional representation. |
Kuwait |
Plurality |
Constitutional Monarchy |
Elected parliament with limited powers. |
Qatar |
First Past the Post |
Absolute Monarchy |
Limited elections; advisory council only. |
Saudi Arabia |
No Elections |
Absolute Monarchy |
No national elections; limited municipal elections. |
UAE |
No Elections |
Absolute Monarchy |
Limited elections for half of the advisory council. |
Angola |
Majority |
Presidential Republic |
Majority elections for Presidential elections. |
Cuba |
Single Party System |
Socialist Republic |
National Assembly elected indirectly. |
Zimbabwe |
Mixed Electoral System |
Presidential Republic |
FPTP for House of Assembly, proportional representation for Senate. |
South Sudan |
First Past the Post |
Federal Republic |
Elections held post-independence. |
Sri Lanka |
Preferential Voting |
Unitary Semi-Presidential Republic |
Voters rank candidates; mixed electoral system. |
Malawi |
First Past the Post |
Unitary Presidential Republic |
Used for parliamentary elections. |
Germany |
Mixed-Member Proportional |
Federal Republic |
Allows for both direct and proportional representation. |
Taiwan |
Mixed-Member Proportional |
Democratic Republic |
Combination of District and At-Large voting. |
Estonia |
Proportional Representation |
Parliamentary Republic |
Uses an open list system. |
Slovenia |
Proportional Representation |
Parliamentary Republic |
D'Hondt method with multi-member districts. |
Luxembourg |
Proportional Representation |
Grand Duchy |
Uses party lists for parliamentary elections. |
Cyprus |
Proportional Representation |
Presidential Republic |
Multimember districts and D'Hondt method. |
Belgium |
Proportional Representation |
Federal Monarchy |
Complex multi-layered system with various regional parliaments. |
Portugal |
Proportional Representation |
Parliamentary Republic |
Party lists, with the assembly elected for four-year terms. |
Ireland |
Single Transferable Vote |
Parliamentary Democracy |
Proportional representation through ranked voting. |
Scotland |
Mixed-Member Proportional |
Parliamentary Democracy |
Hybrid system for Scottish Parliament elections. |
Wales |
Mixed-Member Proportional |
Parliamentary Democracy |
Uses additional member system for Senedd. |
New Zealand |
Mixed-Member Proportional |
Parliamentary Democracy |
Voters have two votes: one for a party, one for a candidate. |
Denmark |
Proportional Representation |
Constitutional Monarchy |
Party-list proportional representation. |
Switzerland |
Proportional Representation |
Federal Republic |
Uses both proportional and majoritarian systems. |
Austria |
Proportional Representation |
Federal Republic |
Party list voting with a 4% threshold. |
Georgia |
Mixed-Member Proportional |
Parliamentary Republic |
Combination of FPTP and proportional representation. |
Armenia |
Proportional Representation |
Parliamentary Republic |
Uses a 5% threshold for party representation. |
Montenegro |
Proportional Representation |
Parliamentary Republic |
Closed list proportional representation. |
Kosovo |
Proportional Representation |
Parliamentary Republic |
Requires parties to get at least 5% to enter the Assembly. |
Serbia |
Proportional Representation |
Parliamentary Republic |
Multi-member district system with a 5% threshold. |
Latvia |
Proportional Representation |
Parliamentary Republic |
Party-list system with a 5% threshold. |
Lithuania |
Proportional Representation |
Parliamentary Republic |
Proportional representation through multi-member districts. |
Estonia |
Proportional Representation |
Parliamentary Republic |
Uses an open list system. |
Finland |
Proportional Representation |
Parliamentary Republic |
Electoral Districts have varying sizes. |
Iceland |
Proportional Representation |
Parliamentary Republic |
Uses a modified Sainte-Laguë method. |
Slovakia |
Proportional Representation |
Parliamentary Republic |
Closed list proportional representation. |
Behaviors |
Electoral System |
Type of Electoral Participation |
Notes on Effectiveness |
Botswana |
First Past the Post |
Parliamentary Republic |
Stable democracy with regular elections. |
Zambia |
First Past the Post |
Presidential Republic |
Elections held after political changes in the region. |
Lesotho |
Mixed-Member Proportional |
Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy |
Hybrid system to encourage proportionality. |
Madagascar |
Two-Round System |
Presidential Republic |
Second round held if no candidate achieves majority. |
Timor-Leste |
Proportional Representation |
Semi-Presidential Republic |
Open list proportional representation. |
Nauru |
Proportional Representation |
Presidential Republic |
Uses a form of the single transferable vote. |
Samoa |
First Past the Post |
Parliamentary Republic |
Traditionally FPTP, facing reform discussions. |
Kyrgyzstan |
Mixed-Member Proportional |
Parliamentary Republic |
Combination of district and party-list voting. |
Vanuatu |
Preferential Voting |
Parliamentary Republic |
Uses optional preferential voting for elected representatives. |
Fiji |
Mixed-Member Proportional |
Parliamentary Republic |
Reform of electoral system to enhance representation. |
Palau |
Modified Borda Count |
Presidential Republic |
Localized system to enhance candidate preferences. |
Marshall Islands |
Modified Borda Count |
Presidential Republic |
Voters rank candidates; unique electoral method. |
Nepal |
Mixed-Member Proportional |
Federal Democratic Republic |
Newly reformed electoral system after civil war. |
Bhutan |
First Past the Post |
Constitutional Monarchy |
Rapidly developing democracy. |
Aspera |
Distribution |
Type of Voter Engagement |
Notes on Effectiveness |
Eswatini (Swaziland) |
No Elections |
Absolute Monarchy |
Limited political participation; no national elections. |
South Sudan |
First Past the Post |
Federal Republic |
Struggling with governance and election logistics. |
Anguilla |
First Past the Post |
British Overseas Territory |
Localized election system under UK governance. |
Bermuda |
First Past the Post |
British Overseas Territory |
Elections regulated by the British government. |
Montserrat |
First Past the Post |
British Overseas Territory |
Elections for Legislative Assembly. |
Saint Helena |
First Past the Post |
British Overseas Territory |
Recent elections for governing council. |
Turks and Caicos Islands |
First Past the Post |
British Overseas Territory |
Elections for House of Assembly. |
Falkland Islands |
First Past the Post |
British Overseas Territory |
Legislative Council elections. |
Guernsey |
First Past the Post |
British Crown Dependency |
Elections for the States of Guernsey. |
Jersey |
First Past the Post |
British Crown Dependency |
Elections for the States Assembly. |
Isle of Man |
First Past the Post |
British Crown Dependency |
Elections for the House of Keys. |
Pitcairn Islands |
First Past the Post |
British Overseas Territory |
Electoral system for Island council elections. |
Christmas Island |
Optional Preferential Voting |
Australian External Territory |
Unique electoral participation method. |
Cocos (Keeling) Islands |
Optional Preferential Voting |
Australian External Territory |
Similar electoral system to Christmas Island. |
Puerto Rico |
Mixed Electoral System |
Unincorporated Territory of the U.S. |
Hybrid FPTP and proportional representation. |
Grenada |
First Past the Post |
Parliamentary Democracy |
Elections for the House of Representatives. |
Dominica |
First Past the Post |
Parliamentary Democracy |
Regular elections for Parliament under Westminster system. |
Saint Lucia |
First Past the Post |
Parliamentary Democracy |
Regular electoral cycles for national governance. |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
First Past the Post |
Parliamentary Democracy |
Elections every five years. |
Nepal |
Mixed-Member Proportional |
Federal Democratic Republic |
Newly reformed electoral system after civil war. |
Democratic Republic of Congo |
Mixed Electoral System |
Semi-Presidential Republic |
Challenges with electoral violence and governance. |
Mali |
Two-Round System |
Semi-Presidential Republic |
Political challenges affecting electoral integrity. |
Central African Republic |
Two-Round System |
Presidential Republic |
Struggles with governance and stability. |
Burundi |
Mixed-Member Proportional |
Presidential Republic |
Political tension affecting elections. |
Chad |
Mixed Electoral System |
Presidential Republic |
Access to governance highly contested. |
Zanzibar |
Multi-Party System |
Constitutional Democracy |
Electoral disputes among parties. |
Comoros |
First Past the Post |
Federal Islamic Republic |
Governance issues impacting electoral processes. |
Haiti |
Two-Round System |
Presidential Republic |
History of electoral disputes and governance challenges. |
Somalia |
Plurality Votes |
Federal Republic |
Electoral system faced with ongoing conflict. |
Papua New Guinea |
Optional Preferential Voting |
Parliamentary Democracy |
Unique voting methodology to prioritize preferences. |
Timor-Leste |
Proportional Representation |
Semi-Presidential Republic |
Transitional electoral governance structures. |
Tajikistan |
Majoritarian System |
Presidential Republic |
Reports of low political pluralism. |
Uzbekistan |
Majoritarian System |
Presidential Republic |
Elections subject to strict government control. |
Palestine |
Proportional Representation |
Semi-Presidential System |
Disputed electoral governance structure. |
Western Sahara |
No Elections |
Disputed Territory |
Lacks recognized governance systems. |
Mauritania |
Two-Round System |
Presidential Republic |
Political turmoil affecting electoral processes. |
Equatorial Guinea |
No Elections |
Authoritarian State |
Limited electoral processes; political repression. |
Burkina Faso |
Two-Round System |
Presidential Republic |
Struggles with political stability and governance. |
Lebanon |
Proportional Representation |
Parliamentary Republic |
Sectarian-based electoral representation. |
Jordan |
Proportional Representation |
Constitutional Monarchy |
Candidates elected through complex electoral laws. |
United Arab Emirates |
No Elections |
Federal Absolute Monarchy |
Limited political participation. |
Brainstorming |
Electoral System Opportunities |
Potential Innovations |
Description of advancements in governance. |
Venezuela |
Mixed Electoral System |
Presidential Republic |
Contested elections amidst political crisis. |
Barbados |
First Past the Post |
Parliamentary Democracy |
Regular elections for the House of Assembly. |
Antigua and Barbuda |
First Past the Post |
Parliamentary Democracy |
Elections for the House of Representatives. |
Seychelles |
Proportional Representation |
Presidential Republic |
Political dynamics with proportional representation. |
Belize |
First Past the Post |
Parliamentary Democracy |
Regular elections for the National Assembly. |
Tanzania |
Mixed-Member Proportional |
Presidential Republic |
Political dynamics with historical challenges. |
Malawi |
First Past the Post |
Unitary Presidential Republic |
Electoral governance evolving with democratic processes. |
Zimbabwe |
Mixed Electoral System |
Presidential Republic |
Contested elections with calls for reform. |
Mayotte |
Two-Round System |
Overseas Department of France |
Elections conducted under French governance rules. |
Guadeloupe |
Two-Round System |
Overseas Department of France |
French electoral processes applied. |
Martinique |
Two-Round System |
Overseas Department of France |
Under French governance; elections held. |
Réunion |
Two-Round System |
Overseas Department of France |
Elections governed by French law. |
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba |
No Elections |
Special Municipality of the Netherlands |
Governance by appointed officials. |
Curacao |
Parliamentary System |
Country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands |
Elections for the Parliament in a semi-autonomous context. |
Aruba |
Parliamentary System |
Country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands |
Local elections under Dutch law. |
Sint Maarten |
Parliamentary System |
Country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands |
Elections for the Parliament; semi-autonomous governance. |
Federal States |
Electoral System Type |
Governance Effectiveness |
Key observations on electoral systems. |
ASIA |
Electoral System Opportunities |
Potential Innovations |
Various proposals for clear governance. |