Implications of the Single-Member District Plurality Electoral System

Easy Unit 5: Political Participation Electoral Systems

In the United States, electoral systems can greatly influence how representative democracy functions. One prevalent electoral system used for congressional elections is called single-member district plurality.

Under this system, the candidate who receives the most votes in a district wins, even if they do not receive an absolute majority of the votes. Understanding this system is vital to analyzing electoral outcomes and political representation in the U.S.

Which of the following statements best describes the implications of the single-member district plurality electoral system?

It encourages multiple political parties to compete equally for representation.

It can lead to 'wasted' votes, as votes for losing candidates do not contribute to the election outcome.

It ensures that the winning candidate always has the support of the majority of voters in the district.

It marginalizes smaller parties by ensuring that only two major parties normally dominate the electoral outcomes.

Hint

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