Glossary:

The following is a list of electoral and political terms that frequently appear on the ElectionGuide and its component pages. Unless otherwise noted, definitions are adopted from World Encyclopedia of Parliaments and Legislatures (Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly Inc., 1998).

Electoral system

The means by which legislative seats are filled. Compromises three components: a districting system, and electoral formula, and a balloting method. See Majority system, Plurality system, Proportional representation. For further information see the ACE project's Electoral System topic area at http://www.aceproject.org/main/english/es/default.htm

Head of government

Serves as the chief executive officer of a state, who ensures that laws are executed, that government programs are developed and presented to the legislative for action, and that government officials are appointed and supervised. In a parliamentary system, usually selected from among members of the parliament. In a presidential system, usually elected directly or indirectly by the voters and also fulfills the function of chief of state.

Legislative election

An election to select the members of the national legislative body in a presidential system of government.

Majority system

An electoral formula in which the winning candidate must receive more than half (50% + 1) of the votes cast. Also absolute majority system)

Parliamentary election

An election to select the members of the national legislative body in a parliamentary system of government.

Parliamentary system

(also Parliamentary government) One of the two major types of democratic governing systems (the other being presidential government), having an elected body of representatives; a government or Council of Ministers (cabinet) with a prime minister approved by the majority of the members of the parliament; a maximum period between elections; and a head of state (a monarch or president), who must, if only ceremonially, assent to bills passed by the parliament before they become effective.

Plurality system

An electoral formula in which the winning candidate or ballot position is that which receives the most votes. Also first past the post (FPTP) or "simple majority" system. Examples of plurality systems are Block Vote, Two-Round System, and the Single Non-Transferable Vote. For further information see the ACE Project's Electoral System topic area at http://www.aceproject.org/main/english/es/default.htm.

Presidential election

An election to select the chief of state/head of government (the president) in a presidential system of government. See also Presidential system.

Presidential system

(also Presidential government) One of two major types of democratic governing systems (the other being parliamentary government), in which the position and powers of both chief of state and head of government are vested in a president whose election, duties, and powers are constitutionally independent of the legislature.

Proportional representation (PR)

A broad term describing various electoral formulas in which parties win seats in a legislature in proportion to their share of the votes cast. PR can only be used in multimember districts. Examples of electoral formulas for apportioning seats in proportional representation systems are d'Hont, Sainte-lauge, Hare, and Droop. For further information see the ACE Project's Electoral System topic area at http://www.aceproject.org/main/english/es/default.htm.