Electoral quota

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In proportional representation systems, an electoral quota is the number of votes a candidate needs to be guaranteed election. They are used in some systems where a formula other than plurality is used to allocate seats.

Generally quotas are set at a level that is guaranteed to apportion only as many seats as are being filled in the contest. Hence, the Droop quota (votes/seats+1, plus 1) is used. When the electorate is divided into separate districts, the quota is commonly set by reference to valid votes cast in the district and the number of seats in the district.

The quota may be set at a number between:^[1]

${\displaystyle {\frac {\text{votes}}{{\text{seats}}+1}}\leq {\text{quota}}\leq {\frac {\text{votes}}{{\text{seats}}-1}}}$

The smallest quota given above, votes/seats+1, is sometimes defended. Such a quota may be workable as long as rules are in place for dealing with situations where two or more tied candidates are competing for a lesser number of seats.

The common quotas used in single transferable voting elections (Hare and Droop) are such that no more can achieve quota than the number of seats in the district. In some cases, the Imperiali quota (votes/seats+2, plus 1) is used.