Stemmenverspilling

Stemmenverspilling, also known as vote splitting, is a political phenomenon where voters divide their support among multiple candidates or parties instead of concentrating it on a single one. This strategy is often employed by voters who believe that no single candidate or party fully represents their interests. The term originates from the Dutch language, where "stemmen" means "votes" and "verspilling" means "spilling" or "splitting."

Vote splitting can have several effects on the political landscape. It can lead to a fragmented political system, where no single party or candidate gains a majority. This can result in coalition governments or prolonged periods of political instability. Additionally, vote splitting can dilute the influence of individual voters, as their votes are spread across multiple candidates or parties.

In some cases, vote splitting can be strategic, allowing voters to influence the outcome of an election without fully endorsing any single candidate or party. However, it can also lead to a situation where no candidate or party gains enough support to form a government, necessitating a runoff or second-round election.

Vote splitting is a common phenomenon in multi-party systems and can occur in various forms, such as tactical voting or strategic voting. It is a complex issue that requires careful consideration of the political context and the interests of the voters.