Zwycięskie preferencje. Skuteczność głosów preferencyjnych w systemie proporcjonalnym z listami otwartymi
Winning Preferences. The Effectiveness of Preference Votes in the Open-List Proportional System

Summary/Abstract: The article presents the usage of the preference votes in open-list proportional representation system (OLPR). The electoral rules condition the efficiency of the casted votes, i.e. the extent to which the voters’ preferences affect the distribution of seats. In the OLPR system the “wasted votes” may refer not only to the representation of party preferences, but also personal preferences frequently expressing distinct territorial identities. Using the data from Polish Sejm elections, as well as the sub-national elections, the authors analyze the usage and outcomes of the preference votes. During the last two decades in Sejm elections the share of efficient preference votes (casted for the elected representatives) was only slightly higher than the share of votes casted for the losing candidates; in case of the sub-national elections, the latter category of votes visibly prevailed. The authors analyze in detail the differences between the elections, parties and Sejm electoral districts, representing various characteristics. Non-parametrical regression analysis provides the list of factors influencing the efficiency of preferential votes, which is generally in agreement with the theoretical expectations. The largest shares of efficient preference votes may be observed in the districts of a high magnitude, and a lower level of fragmentation (both party and territorial).

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