The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-01-26
Proportional Representation
Ninth Article.]

Aa->e>e,.-1,auaear~paeeRu
The third and last system OF effec-
tive voting that am to describe TO
you is the "Free List" plan, which
has for some years been used in Swift
zerland to elect some of the cantonal
legislatures, and in Belgium to elect
members of the senate and chamber OF
deputies-the central governing bodies.
In giving this description shall IN
corporate some facts relating to Bel
gfum ana =iar-asallcss- degree to Swift
zerland.
NV sources Of information are di-
rect and at first hand. They are: ~
The issues of the Moniteur Beige
which contain the full report OF the
act of parliament amending the Bel
gian electoral code so as to provide
for proportional representation. CD
Letters and. papers received direct from
M. lie Comte Goblet d'Alvielia Of Court
st. Etiennev Belgium, who is Sena-
tor for the province of Brabant. 81
Count d'Alvi1lla's able work in French
entitled La Representation Proper
tione. e.: Historic dune Reforme. ca
Letters and papers received from Mr..
Philip Jamin, 4 rue de Mont Blanc,
Geneva, Switzerland.
Two features are common to both
the Swiss and the Belgian systems:
Namely, az large electoral districts
returning several members; and CD
the use of the quota, which is usu-
ally obtained by dividing the total
vote cast by the number OF members to
be elected. Indeed, these two features
are found in all really effective proper
tional systems.
Briefyfthe Swiss or Belgian system
is this: Each political party dominates
a list Of candidates, and these lists OF
names are printed on a ballot and
voted for according to some prescribed
method. The votes are counted and
the quota is ascertained. Each party S
total vote is in turn divided by the
quota, which shows how many seats
sacb ravtv IS entitled to-. One. quota OF
votes gives one seat; tWU 4 ;iss &c, Svr
seats, and SO on. Then the seats OF
each party are allotted among the in
dividual candidates of that party in
a manner hereafter indicated.
In Belgium nominations are made
by presentation paper which must
be signed by at least one hundred
electors Each party dominates a lisi
of candidates, probably in proportion
to the number that its estimated votins
strength would enable it to elect
There are two classes of candidates
detectives" and substitutes" the lat
ter being intended chiefly to fill va
cancies that may occur IN the ranks o
the effective or actual members durin:
parliamentary term. For this purpos
the substitutes are classed as first, sec
ond, third, ETC., and are drawn upon il
that order if needed. There is also an
other use to W Oh they are put; name
ly. if any party has not nominate'
enough electives to fill the seats
gets in the elections, then the substi
tutes are drawn upon.
All the party lists of candidates ar
printed on one large ballot paper, lot
being drawn to decide the order i
whic the lists appear. Each party Lis
is in column by itself; the effective
first, and then the substitutes, with
headline to distinguish the latter.
II an independent candidate run
outside of the parties, he is regarde
as being a ,tle party all by himself
and his name is accordingly printe
as separate LIST, along with the sui
s1itute if none be nominated. The las
column on the ballot is reserved fd
these small Independent lists.