Behind the Ballot Box - by Douglas Amy (Paperback)

About the Book

Interest in voting systems and voting system reform is growing in the United States. Voting systems--the procedures by which we cast votes and elect our public officials--are a crucial part of the democratic election process. The decision to use one kind of voting system rather than another has far-reaching political consequences. Among other things, voting systems help to determine which officials are elected to run our governments, the variety of parties that voters have to choose from at the polls, whether political minorities can win any representation, and whether the majority will rule.

Amy gives readers all the information and analytical tools needed to make intelligent choices among voting systems. He provides a set of political criteria that can be used to judge voting systems and gives detailed descriptions of all the common voting systems used in the United States and other Western democracies, including winner-take-all systems as well as proportional representation systems. He also provides an analysis of the various political advantages and disadvantages associated with each type of system. This is an important guide for citizens, government officials, political activists, students, and anyone who wants to learn more about voting systems and their political implications.

Book Synopsis

Interest in voting systems and voting system reform is growing in the United States. Voting systems--the procedures by which we cast votes and elect our public officials--are a crucial part of the democratic election process. The decision to use one kind of voting system rather than another has far-reaching political consequences. Among other things, voting systems help to determine which officials are elected to run our governments, the variety of parties that voters have to choose from at the polls, whether political minorities can win any representation, and whether the majority will rule.

Amy gives readers all the information and analytical tools needed to make intelligent choices among voting systems. He provides a set of political criteria that can be used to judge voting systems and gives detailed descriptions of all the common voting systems used in the United States and other Western democracies, including winner-take-all systems as well as proportional representation systems. He also provides an analysis of the various political advantages and disadvantages associated with each type of system. This is an important guide for citizens, government officials, political activists, students, and anyone who wants to learn more about voting systems and their political implications.

Review Quotes

"Doug Amy's clearly organized and lucid explanation of how electoral systems work provides a framework for constructive debate."-Kathleen L. Barber Professor of Political Science (retired) John Carroll University

"Finally, a well-written and comprehensive guide to how voting systems work and why they are so important to the democratic process. This useful and thought-provoking book is essential reading for anyone interested in revitalizing American elections and creating a more representative and responsive government."-Lani Guinier Professor Harvard Law School

"This is an essential book for anyone who wants to make an informed choice about what voting system best fits a community or state."-Rob Richie Executive Director The Center For Voting and Democracy

About the Author

DOUGLAS J. AMY is Professor of Politics at Mount Holyoke College. He has written extensively about voting systems and voting system reform. Among his earlier books are Real Choices/New Voices: The Case for Proportional Representation Elections in the United States (1993) and The Politics of Environmental Mediation.