Problem Statement

In proportional representation (PR) systems with districts, voters across different district types experience varying levels of representational equality.

New Data Measure

This study introduces a new conceptual framework and measure to evaluate electoral inequality within PR systems that use mixed district structures.

Findings

Districted PR often results in right-leaning parties being overrepresented among voters who reside in semi-majoritarian districts.

Across all Western parliamentary democracies, larger district magnitudes (the number of MPs per constituency) are associated with reduced representational inequality.

Significance

These findings challenge the assumption that PR inherently guarantees equal representation for all citizens across different voting districts.