singlememberdistrict

A single-member district is an electoral district that elects only one representative to a legislative body. This contrasts with multi-member districts, where multiple representatives are elected from a single larger district. In most countries with a parliamentary system or a presidential system that uses a legislature, single-member districts are the standard for electing representatives.

The most common electoral system used in single-member districts is "first-past-the-post" (FPTP), also known as plurality voting. In FPTP, the candidate who receives the most votes, even if it is not a majority, wins the election for that district. Other systems, such as the two-round system or instant-runoff voting, can also be used in single-member districts.

Single-member districts are often praised for promoting a direct link between the representative and their constituents, as the representative is accountable to a clearly defined geographic area. This system can also lead to more stable governments with two dominant political parties. However, critics argue that FPTP in single-member districts can result in "wasted votes" for those who voted for losing candidates, and it may underrepresent smaller parties. It can also lead to gerrymandering, the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one party or group.