Definition

Noun: A single-member system is an electoral system based on the principle of having only one representative or member (as of a legislature) selected from each electoral district. It is a winner-takes-all system where the candidate who receives the most votes in a district wins the seat.

Usage

The term is used in political science and discussions of government to describe a specific method of electing representatives. * The country adopted a single-member system to simplify elections and create a direct link between constituents and their representative. * Critics of the single-member system argue it can lead to a two-party dominance and underrepresentation of smaller political groups.

Advanced Usage

• "First-past-the-post (FPTP)": This is the most common type of single-member system, where the candidate with a plurality (the most votes, not necessarily a majority) wins.
  • The United Kingdom uses a first-past-the-post single-member system for electing Members of Parliament.

Variants and Related Words

• Single-member district: The electoral district itself from which only one member is elected.
  • Each state is divided into multiple single-member districts for congressional elections.
• Multi-member system / Proportional representation: The contrasting electoral system where multiple representatives are elected from a larger district, typically in proportion to the votes received by each party.

Synonyms

• Plurality system
• Winner-takes-all system (in the context of legislative elections)
• First-past-the-post (FPTP) system (a specific type)

Antonyms

• Multi-member system
• Proportional representation (PR)
• At-large election (when multiple members are elected from a single, undivided district)

Noun

1. based on the principle of having only one member (as of a legislature) selected from each electoral district