Circunscripción

Circunscripción is a term used in electoral systems to denote a geographical or administrative division that elects representatives to a legislative body. The purpose of dividing a country or region into circumscripciones is to ensure that each representative is accountable to a specific group of voters and to facilitate the electoral process. The size and shape of these circumscripciones can vary significantly depending on the country's laws and its electoral system.

There are several common types of circumscripciones. Single-member circumscripciones, also known as electoral districts or constituencies, elect one representative. In this system, the candidate who receives the most votes wins. Multi-member circumscripciones, on the other hand, elect multiple representatives. Proportional representation systems often utilize larger multi-member circumscripciones, where seats are allocated based on the proportion of votes each party receives. Some countries also use circumscripciones based on specific demographics or interests, though this is less common.

The drawing of circumscripción boundaries, often referred to as "gerrymandering" when done for partisan advantage, is a crucial aspect of electoral geography. Fairly drawn circumscripciones are intended to reflect the population distribution and ensure equal representation. Disagreements over boundary drawing can lead to political disputes. The number of circumscripciones and their populations are typically reviewed periodically to account for demographic changes.