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Proportional-first-past-the-post

Proportional-first-past-the-post (P-FPTP), also known as 50-point proportional representation or the 50-point system, is a mixed electoral system that uses a novel percentage point method to allocate seats in its compensatory tiers, instead of party lists. It was proposed as a replacement to Canada's first-past-the-post voting system by Robert S. Ring in his 2014 Master's thesis at Memorial University of Newfoundland, and was presented before the Canadian House of Commons Special Committee on Electoral Reform on October 5, 2016. In his thesis, Ring claims that it is an ideal electoral system for Canada as it balances the familiar elements of first-past-the-post with proportional representation, while maintaining a simple, candidate-centred approach.

System Mechanics

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Single-member riding

  • Each party fields a maximum of two candidates per riding.
  • The party plurality winner in the riding secures the seat, with the top candidate from that party being elected.

Compensatory regional seats

  • The remaining half of the seats are allocated at the regional (and/or provincial) level based on the proportion of votes received in ridings.
  • Regions typically consist of 4–6 ridings, ensuring that proportionality is maintained while keeping regions small.
  • Seats are awarded using a percentage point method.
  • 1% of the vote in a riding equals 1 percentage point.
  • 50 percentage points equal one seat.
  • Parties that do not win a riding transfer all their points to the regional level.
  • Parties that win a riding with less than 50% of the vote transfer negative points, reducing their claim to regional seats.
  • Parties that win a riding with more than 50% of the vote transfer only their excess percentage points.
  • The most popular unelected candidates from each party, based on their percentage of votes in their respective ridings, receive regional seats.

National-level adjustment

  • Leftover points from regional allocations are transferred to a final, national tier.
  • Additional seats are again awarded at this stage for every 50 percentage points.
  • Only at this final stage, can any remaining seats be allocated with less than 50 percentage points.

Key features and advantages

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  • No party lists: Unlike many proportional systems, the 50-point system does not use closed or open party lists; all seats are filled by individual candidates.
  • Minimal regional distortion compared to other proportional representation models: small provinces and rural areas receive fairer representation without requiring large regional constituencies.
  • Greater voter choice and gender equity: since parties run two candidates per riding, voters have greater choice while parties are naturally encouraged to nominate a diverse slate of candidates.
  • No artificial thresholds: unlike many proportional systems that impose a minimum vote share threshold, the 50-point system naturally limits smaller parties by requiring parties to run candidates to earn points.
  • Simplicity and transparency: the 50-point rule makes proportionality calculations straightforward and easier for voters to understand compared to other proportional representation formulas.

See also

References