Enemmistövaalitavalla

Enemmistövaalitavalla, or the majority electoral system, is a general term used to describe electoral systems where the candidate or party with the most votes wins. This is in contrast to proportional representation systems, which aim to allocate seats based on the overall percentage of votes received by each party.

There are several variations of the majority system. The simplest is the "first-past-the-post" (FPTP) system, also known as plurality voting. In FPTP, the candidate who receives more votes than any other candidate wins the election, even if they do not secure an absolute majority of the votes. This system is used in many countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States for many of their elections.

Another form is the "two-round system" or "runoff voting." In this system, if no candidate achieves an absolute majority in the first round, a second round is held, usually between the top two candidates. The candidate who wins the majority in the second round is elected. This system is used in France for presidential and parliamentary elections.

Majority systems are often praised for their simplicity and for often producing clear winners and stable governments, as they tend to favor larger parties and can lead to decisive election outcomes. However, critics argue that they can lead to disproportionate representation, where the number of seats a party wins does not accurately reflect its share of the national vote. This can result in "wasted votes" for candidates who do not win and can disadvantage smaller parties. The specific mechanics and consequences of majority electoral systems can vary significantly depending on the country and the specific electoral rules in place.