MMP Voting System

Definition

The Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP) voting system is an electoral system used in New Zealand that combines both proportional representation and single-member districts. This system allows voters to cast two votes: one for a political party and one for a candidate in their local electorate. MMP was introduced to ensure that the overall composition of parliament reflects the preferences of voters, promoting a more inclusive and representative government.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. MMP was implemented in New Zealand after the 1993 referendum, where voters chose to adopt this system over the previous First Past the Post (FPP) system.
2. Under MMP, each voter has two votes: one for a party and one for their local candidate, which helps balance local representation with overall party representation.
3. The percentage of party votes determines how many seats each party gets in parliament, ensuring that smaller parties have a better chance of gaining representation.
4. The MMP voting system encourages coalition governments, as it is common for no single party to win an outright majority, requiring parties to work together.
5. The introduction of MMP has led to a significant increase in the representation of women and minority groups in New Zealand's parliament compared to previous electoral systems.

Review Questions

• How does the MMP voting system contribute to greater gender equality in New Zealand's parliament?
  • The MMP voting system promotes greater gender equality by allowing smaller parties to gain representation and by facilitating coalition governments, which often prioritize diversity in their candidate selection. Since the implementation of MMP, there has been a notable increase in the number of women elected to parliament. This is because parties are incentivized to include women and underrepresented groups on their lists to appeal to a broader electorate, thus making parliament more reflective of New Zealand's diverse society.
• Discuss the role of the party vote in determining parliamentary representation under the MMP voting system.
  • In the MMP voting system, the party vote is crucial as it directly influences how many seats each political party receives in parliament. Voters cast this vote for their preferred political party, and the overall share of these votes determines proportional representation. This mechanism allows for smaller parties with significant support to enter parliament, creating a more diverse legislative body that reflects the electorate's preferences rather than just favoring larger parties.
• Evaluate the impact of MMP on political coalitions and governance in New Zealand since its adoption.
  • Since adopting MMP, New Zealand has experienced a shift towards coalition governments, as it is rare for any one party to achieve an outright majority. This change has led to more collaborative governance, as parties must negotiate and compromise on policies to form stable administrations. The need for coalitions often results in more inclusive decision-making processes and can foster greater accountability and responsiveness to public concerns. However, it can also lead to challenges when balancing differing ideologies among coalition partners, affecting the stability and effectiveness of governance.

Related terms

Proportional Representation: An electoral system where parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes they receive, allowing for a more accurate reflection of voter preferences in the legislature.

Electorate: A geographical area represented by a single member of parliament, where voters can elect their local representative in a general election.

Party Vote: The vote cast by an individual for a political party in an election, which determines the number of seats that party will receive in parliament under the MMP system.