The Reformer

Holland Netherlands

Why did the Netherlands adopt nationwide proportional representation?

The Dutch prioritised proportionality above all else when creating their system of proportional representation; choosing a single nationwide constituency and...

Central party leaders have little influence over who is elected

How do Finland’s elections work?

On Sunday 2nd April, voters in Finland will go to the polls to elect a new parliament. Finland’s parliament, known...

Proportional representation is the most popular form of democracy in the world today

How many countries around the world use proportional representation?

This article was updated in November 2025. Proportional representation is the most popular form of democracy for countries in the...

Carl Andrae

How did Denmark get proportional representation?

Denmark today is home to one of the most proportional voting systems in the world, but, for a long time,...

Estonia scores highly on all democracy indices

How do elections work in Estonia?

Estonia is undoubtedly one of eastern Europe’s biggest success stories since the collapse of communism – its economy has developed...

Victor d'Hondt

Why did Belgium adopt proportional representation?

In 1899, Belgium became the first country in the world to adopt a proportional system for national elections. At that...

There are lots of options for upgrading Westminsters system

What are the alternatives to First Past the Post?

Westminster’s First Past the Post system means we don’t get a parliament that fully represents the voting public. Millions of...

Switzerland PR cartoon

How did Switzerland get proportional representation?

In the early 1890s, a handful of Swiss cantons (states) held the first public elections in Europe to truly use...

Major American cities adopt Proportional Representation

A wave of cities across the United States switch to fair voting systems

This week’s big electoral story is America’s midterm elections and the failure of the predicted ‘Red Wave’ to materialise. However,...

The Alternative Vote and the proportional Single Transferable Vote are used across Australia

How do elections work in the Australian states?

Six months after choosing a new federal parliament, voters in the key Australian state of Victoria will be returning to...

The party that came 4th in the vote came second in seats

Quebec’s 2022 election reveals error of not scrapping first past the post

Back in 2018 we reported on the excitement in Quebec which was set for a move from First Past the Post (FPTP)...

2019 saw 37 parties enter Indias lower house

What electoral system does India use to elect the Lok Sabha?

India, the largest democracy in the world, has a system of democratic federalism which has both large amounts of parties...