Editing Election (section)

==Systems==
{{main|Electoral system}}
[[File:Electoral_systems_map_simplified.svg|thumb|400x400px|Map showing the main types electoral systems used to elect candidates to the [[Lower house|lower]] or sole ([[Unicameralism|unicameral]]) house of national legislatures, {{As of|2022|1|lc=y}}: {{legend|#FF0000|[[Majoritarian representation]] (winner-take-all)}}  {{legend|#0066FF|[[Proportional representation]]}}{{legend|#FF00CC|[[Mixed-member majoritarian representation]]}} {{legend|#5A2CA0|[[Mixed-member proportional representation]]}}{{legend|#FFD42A|[[Semi-proportional representation]] (non-mixed)}}{{legend|#000000|No election (e.g. Monarchy)}}]]
Electoral systems are the detailed constitutional arrangements and voting systems that convert the vote into a political decision. 

The first step is for voters to cast the [[Ballot|ballots]], which may be simple single-choice ballots, but other types, such as multiple choice or [[Ranked voting|ranked ballots]] may also be used. Then the votes are tallied, for which various [[vote counting systems]] may be used. and the voting system then determines the result on the basis of the tally. Most systems can be categorized as either [[Proportional representation|proportional]], [[majoritarian]] or [[Mixed electoral system|mixed]]. Among the proportional systems, the most commonly used are [[party-list proportional representation]] (list PR) systems, among majoritarian are [[First-past-the-post voting|first-past-the-post]] electoral system (single winner [[plurality voting]]) and different methods of majority voting (such as the widely used [[two-round system]]). [[Mixed electoral system|Mixed systems]] combine elements of both proportional and majoritarian methods, with some typically producing results closer to the former ([[Mixed-member proportional representation|mixed-member proportional]]) or the other (e.g. [[parallel voting]]). 

Many countries have growing electoral reform movements, which advocate systems such as [[approval voting]], [[single transferable vote]], [[Instant-runoff voting|instant runoff voting]] or a [[Condorcet method]]; these methods are also gaining popularity for lesser elections in some countries where more important elections still use more traditional counting methods.

While openness and [[accountability]] are usually considered cornerstones of a democratic system, the act of casting a vote and the content of a voter's ballot are usually an important exception. The [[secret ballot]] is a relatively modern development, but it is now considered crucial in most [[free and fair election]]s, as it limits the effectiveness of intimidation.