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Superposition

From electowiki

Superposition is a method combining two systems (usually into a mixed system) by electing two different tiers independently[1]. When done by two votes (ticket splitting is allowed) it is known as parallel voting. Superposition, like parallel voting, does not always result in a mixed of winner-take-all and proportional methods, but may be used to combine any two systems. The most common pairing is first-preference plurality (FPP) and a party-list proportional method, both using choose-one ballots.

As a type of mixed system, it is one of the most widely used in the world, most commonly in the form of parallel voting and mixed-member majoritarian representation.

Definition

A method is said to use superposition if it has at least two tiers that do not interact with each other in any way.

Conflation with mixed-member majoritarian

Advantages and disadvantages

Superposition and parallel voting retain the advantages and disadvantages of it's component systems, but each in the ratio it is used. The combination itself being independent, does not typically result in additional tactical manipulation possibilities.

As a more complicated system than it's component, it has it's own critiques.

Use

Parallel voting

  • Andorra
  • Argentina (some provinces)
  • Japan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Lithuania
  • Mongolia
  • Nepal
  • Philippines
  • Russia
  • Taiwan
  • Tajikistan
  • Thailand
  • United Kingdom (some overseas territories)
  • Venezuela
  • New Zealand (some overseas territories)

Special

  • Italy - ticket splitting not allowed
  • Monaco
  • Tanzania

Part of supermixed

  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Mexico

References

  1. Massicotte & Blais (1999). "Mixed electoral systems: a conceptual and empirical survey". Electoral Studies. 18 (3): 341–366. doi:10.1016/S0261-3794(98)00063-8.

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