NAEP Civics Grade 12

Category - Civics

Most democratic countries elect legislatures through one of two types of electoral systems: single-member district or proportional representation. In single-member district systems, citizens in specific areas vote for candidates who represent their districts. In proportional representation systems, citizens in the country vote for political parties. Parties are then awarded seats in the legislature proportionate to the percentage of the vote they have won. In other words, if a party wins 20 percent of the vote, it receives 20 percent of the seats in the legislature. Which of the following is the best argument that a single-member district system is better than a proportional representation system?

  1. Voters should make choices about individual candidates, as they do in single-member district systems, rather than simply vote for a party
  2. Single-member district systems lead to stronger political parties, which are good for democracy
  3. Single-member district systems are better at representing the interests of minorities
  4. Voters will make wiser choices if they focus on national issues, as they do in single-member district systems, rather than on local issues, as they tend to do in proportional representation systems
Explanation

Answer: A - Voters should make choices about individual candidates, as they do in single-member district systems, rather than simply vote for a party.

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