Listajärjestelmä

Listajärjestelmä, meaning "list system" in Finnish, refers to a method of selecting candidates in elections. In a list system, voters choose a political party rather than an individual candidate. The party then allocates the seats it wins based on a predetermined order on its candidate list, often referred to as a ballot. This order can be determined by the party itself, with some parties allowing internal primaries or member votes to influence the ranking.

There are variations of the list system. Closed list systems are common, where the party's order is fixed and voters have no say in it. Open list systems, on the other hand, allow voters to express a preference for specific candidates within a party, potentially influencing their position on the list or even enabling a candidate to be elected independently of their initial ranking. Semi-open list systems offer a middle ground, where voters can indicate a preference, but the party's initial order still holds significant weight. The primary goal of list systems is to ensure proportional representation, meaning that the proportion of seats a party wins in the legislature roughly corresponds to the proportion of votes it receives. This contrasts with plurality or majority systems where the candidate with the most votes in a district wins, regardless of the overall party vote share.