firstpastthepost

First-past-the-post, also known as FPTP or first past the post, is an electoral system used in single-member districts where voters cast a vote for one candidate, and the candidate who receives more votes than any other candidate wins the seat. It is a plurality system, meaning a majority of votes is not required. The winning candidate is simply the one who crosses the post first in each district.

The system is widely used in national and subnational elections in countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and India, as well as in many other nations and territories influenced by British parliamentary practice. In these contexts, legislators are elected in individual districts, and the overall composition of the legislature is determined by the sum of district results. The United States also employs single-member districts with plurality voting for Congress and many state legislatures, though the federal system has its own constitutional and regional variations.

Advantages often cited include its simplicity for voters and administrators, quick results, clear accountability in individual constituencies, and a tendency to produce stable governments and broad policy platforms, often favoring two major parties. Critics argue that FPTP can produce disproportionate results relative to the national vote, underrepresent smaller or regional parties, waste a large share of ballots, and encourage tactical voting or the creation of safe seats. It is generally viewed as less representative of overall political preferences than proportional representation.

The name and concept descend from a metaphor in horse racing: the first candidate to pass the post wins. The method became entrenched in the United Kingdom during the 19th century and was exported to many former colonies and other jurisdictions.