To create a utopia, the inhabitants need to be happy. To be happy, the voices and will of the people need to be heard. However, under our democracy, a large number of people are left unheard. Nearly all elections in the United States are based on the winner takes all principle. The Representative with the most votes wins the election. The winner takes all principle awards 100% of the representation to a 50.1% majority. Votes going to a losing candidate are wasted, even if that candidate takes 49.9% of the vote. If we believe in the principle of "one person, one vote," why tolerate a system which treats voters unequally? Every vote is counted, but not every vote counts. This leaves significant amount of voters unrepresented. Voters understand this possibility, and so often they do not vote for a candidate they like, but rather the one who realistically stands the best chance of winning. Many times voters vote for "the lesser of two evils," or do not bother to vote at all. An alternative to this is proportional representation.

Proportional representation is the principle that any group of voters should win legislative seats in proportion to its share of the popular vote. P

roportional representation allows voters in a minority to win their fair share of representation. This provides a more accurate and balanced representation of the people. If a party receives 30% of the vote, they receive 30% of the seats in the legislature, 10% of the vote receives 10% of the seats, and so on.

There are several advantages to proportional representation. First, it offers a more diverse representation. Women and minorities have a better chance of getting their voice heard, as it only takes 10% of the popular vote for representation. Second, proportional representation promotes cleaner campaigns and less mud-slinging. Campaigns tend to be issue oriented rather than popularity contests. Because American society is so diverse, it is difficult to find issues that will guarantee majority support. Instead, candidates try to attract swing voters who are not attracted to either candidate. They have discovered the most effective way to do this is by attacking the opponent. Swing voters are more influenced by negative campaigns because they are unattracted to the positive positions of the candidates. Third, proportional representation reduces the effects of "big money." Of course, money has been, and always will be, part of running for office in this country. The larger parties have always had the real advantag

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Approximate Word count = 900
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)