Understanding Mixed Member Proportional Representation

Queen Lion seeks to improve her kingdom's democracy. The current First Past the Post system leaves many citizens unrepresented. Kiwi suggests Mixed Member Proportional (MMP), which allows citizens two votes: one for a local candidate and another for a political party. This system aims to balance representation by adding party members to the council based on overall support. MMP reduces wasted votes, prevents minority rule, and encourages political diversity. However, it also gives party leaders more control over members. Queen Lion decides to adopt MMP, making the Jungle Council more reflective of citizens' preferences.

What was the main issue with the voting system in Queen Lion's kingdom?

• Lack of local representatives

• Citizens were not allowed to vote

• Majority of citizens were not represented

• Too many political parties

In the First Past the Post system, how are winners determined?

• By the number of seats available

• By the percentage of total votes

• By the candidate with the most votes

• By a random selection

What is a key feature of the Mixed Member Proportional system?

• Only one party can participate

• Each citizen gets two votes

• Citizens vote only for parties

• Local elections are eliminated

How does the MMP system address the imbalance in representation?

• By reducing the number of political parties

• By adding more local representatives

• By allowing citizens to vote multiple times

• By adding party members to make the council proportional

Who decides which party members get the extra seats in MMP?

• The Queen through a royal decree

• The council through a majority vote

• The party leaders through a pre-election list

• The citizens through a separate vote

What is a potential disadvantage of the MMP system?

• It increases the number of wasted votes

• It reduces the number of political parties

• It gives party leaders more control over members

• It eliminates local representation

How does MMP help in reducing gerrymandering?

• By changing the range boundaries frequently

• By ensuring proportional representation

• By increasing the number of local elections

• By allowing only two parties to contest

Why might citizens vote strategically in local elections under MMP?

• To support a candidate with a better chance of winning

• To reduce the number of votes for smaller parties

• To increase the number of candidates

• To ensure their favorite party wins

What is a benefit of MMP in terms of political diversity?

• It encourages citizens to vote for smaller parties

• It ensures only major parties are represented

• It reduces the number of elections

• It limits the number of political parties

What decision did Queen Lion make regarding the voting system?

• To keep the First Past the Post system

• To switch to a monarchy

• To adopt the Mixed Member Proportional system

• To eliminate the Jungle Council