A plural district was a district in the United States House of Representatives that was represented by more than one member. States using this method elected multiple members from some of their geographically defined districts. They did so on a single ballot (block voting) or on separate concurrent ballots for each seat (conducting multiple plurality elections). In more modern terms, for less ambiguity, such a district is termed a multi-member district (such as many of those of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, abroad and in other bodies).
Such greater than one-member district magnitude was used to give more populous counties or established Congressional Districts fair representation without redistricting (specifically, dividing them). It was rare before 1805 but notably applied to many Congressional Districts of New York and Pennsylvania until federally (nationally) prohibited by the 1842 Apportionment Bill and consequent locally implementing legislation.
Block voting, a vote/ballot for multiple members to be returned, usually on a first-past-the-post plurality basis
First-past-the-post, a vote/ballot for one member to be returned, on a plurality basis
Multiple ballots, one per designated seat, using system above
Proportional representation, any voting system which seeks to result in representation in proportion to the number of respective votes cast in an election, or multi-member district, overall
General ticket – the return of a single winning party or team's candidates for a set of electoral districts, or for each multi-member district which uses it
Representation at-large – a representative/territory being undivided for every purpose as to a representative body. The most populous at large districts/regions tend to be multi-member
Sourcesedit
Martis, Kenneth C. (1982). The Historical Atlas of United States Congressional Districts. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
External linksedit
U.S. House of Representatives: House History
January 01, 1970
plural, district, plural, district, district, united, states, house, representatives, that, represented, more, than, member, states, using, this, method, elected, multiple, members, from, some, their, geographically, defined, districts, they, single, ballot, b. A plural district was a district in the United States House of Representatives that was represented by more than one member States using this method elected multiple members from some of their geographically defined districts They did so on a single ballot block voting or on separate concurrent ballots for each seat conducting multiple plurality elections In more modern terms for less ambiguity such a district is termed a multi member district such as many of those of the New Hampshire House of Representatives abroad and in other bodies Such greater than one member district magnitude was used to give more populous counties or established Congressional Districts fair representation without redistricting specifically dividing them It was rare before 1805 but notably applied to many Congressional Districts of New York and Pennsylvania until federally nationally prohibited by the 1842 Apportionment Bill and consequent locally implementing legislation Contents 1 Plural district usage 2 See also 3 Sources 4 External linksPlural district usage editThis is a table of every instance of the use of plural districts in the United States Congress Congress State plural district s detailed 3rd MA 13 1 2 3 4 4th PA 2 4 5th 6th 7th 8th MD 2 5 PA 8 1 2 3 4 9th MD 2 5 NY 2 2 combined with 3 PA 8 1 2 3 4 10th 11th MD 2 5 NY 4 2 6 PA 8 1 2 3 4 12th 13th MD 2 5 NY 12 1 2 12 15 20 21 PA 14 1 2 3 5 6 10 NJ 6 1 2 3 14th MD 2 5 NY 12 1 2 12 15 20 21 PA 14 1 2 3 5 6 10 15th 16th 17th MD 2 5 NY 10 1 2 12 15 20 PA 14 1 2 3 5 6 10 18th MD 2 5 NY 7 3 20 26 PA 14 4 7 8 9 11 16 19th 20th 21st 22nd 23rd NY 12 3 8 17 22 23 PA 5 2 4 24th MD 2 4 NY 12 3 8 17 22 23 PA 5 2 4 25th 26th 27thSee also editTheory and principles Electoral district District magnitude the number of members per district Compatible with Block voting a vote ballot for multiple members to be returned usually on a first past the post plurality basis First past the post a vote ballot for one member to be returned on a plurality basis Multiple ballots one per designated seat using system above Proportional representation any voting system which seeks to result in representation in proportion to the number of respective votes cast in an election or multi member district overall General ticket the return of a single winning party or team s candidates for a set of electoral districts or for each multi member district which uses it Representation at large a representative territory being undivided for every purpose as to a representative body The most populous at large districts regions tend to be multi memberSources editMartis Kenneth C 1982 The Historical Atlas of United States Congressional Districts New York Macmillan Publishing Company External links editU S House of Representatives House History Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Plural district amp oldid 1191588693, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
