D'Hondt method: Difference between revisions

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The '''D'Hondt method''',{{efn|{{IPAc-en|lang|d|ə|ˈ|h|ɒ|n|t}} {{respell|də|HONT}}, {{IPA-nl|tɔnt|lang}}, {{IPA-fr|dɔ̃t|lang}}. The name D'Hondt is sometimes spelt as "d'Hondt". Notably, it is customary in the [[Netherlands]] to write such surnames with a lower-case "d" when preceded by the forename: thus Victor d'Hondt (with a small ''d''), while the surname all by itself would be D'Hondt (with a capital ''D''). However, in [[Belgium]] it is always capitalized, hence: Victor D'Hondt.}} also called the '''Jefferson method''' or the '''greatest divisors method''', is an [[Apportionment (politics)|apportionment method]] for allocating seats in parliaments among [[federal states]], or in [[proportional representation]] among political parties. It belongs to the class of [[highest averages method|highest-averages methods]]. Compared to ideal proportional representation, the D'Hondt method reduces somewhat the political fragmentation for smaller [[electoral district]] sizes,<ref name=":0"/> where it favors larger political parties over small parties.<ref name="Seat biases"/>

The method was first described in 1792 by American [[FoundingUnited FathersStates Secretary of State|Secretary of State]] and later [[President of the United States|Founder]] [[Thomas Jefferson]]. It was re-invented independently in 1878 by Belgian mathematician [[Victor D'Hondt]], which is the reason for its two different names.

== Motivation ==