Webster's method is a method for apportioning seats in a legislature based on the population of each district. It is a type of proportional representation system, which means that the number of seats each district receives is proportional to its population.
How Webster's Method Works
- Calculate the quota: The quota is the number of seats that each district would receive if the number of seats were divided evenly among the population. This is calculated by dividing the total number of seats by the total population.
- Assign initial seats: Each district is initially assigned the integer portion of its quota.
- Calculate the priority: The priority of each district is calculated as the difference between its quota and the number of seats it has been assigned.
- Assign remaining seats: The districts with the highest priority are assigned the remaining seats until all seats are allocated.
Advantages of Webster's Method
- Fairness: Webster's method aims to fairly represent the population of each district by allocating seats proportionally.
- Simplicity: The method is relatively easy to understand and implement.
- Stability: Webster's method is generally considered to be stable, meaning that small changes in population are unlikely to result in large changes in the allocation of seats.
Examples of Webster's Method
- State Legislature: Webster's method is often used to allocate seats in state legislatures based on the population of each legislative district.
- House of Representatives: The United States House of Representatives uses a similar method to allocate seats among the states based on their population.
Conclusion
Webster's method is a commonly used method for apportioning seats in legislatures. It is considered a fair and stable method that aims to represent the population of each district proportionally.
