Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Yes, this is effectively the solution that Mixed-Member Proportional Representation (MMP) offers.

The normal complaint with this is that it typically involves having closed lists of candidates who get a free ticket into parliament without any local accountability, and this is only slightly improved by having an open list system (although that requires teaching voters to mark extra ballot papers in unfamiliar ways).

Fortunately a better solution has been found and actually implemented in Baden-Württemberg, and they call it the Zweitmandat system. Basically, the "proportional seats are filled by losing candidates who won the highest proportion of votes".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zweitmandat



Yeah, that seems reasonable. I'm all for giving more power to people to pick the candidates they want instead of having political parties handpick the last ones.




Consider applying for YC's Winter 2026 batch! Applications are open till Nov 10

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: