No subject is more central to the study of politics than elections. Electoral systems--the rules about how voters' preferences are translated into election results--profoundly shape important political outcomes, including party systems, candidate selection, and policy choices. This volume provides an in-depth exploration of the origins and effects of electoral systems.

1. Terminology and Basic Rules of Electoral Systems Erik S. Herron, Robert J. Pekkanen, and Matthew S. Shugart Part I. Foundations of Electoral Systems 2. Dimensions of Variation in Electoral Systems Michael Gallagher and Paul Mitchell 3. Electoral System Effects on Party Systems Matthew S. Shugart and Rein Taagepera 4. Party System Effects on Electoral Systems Josep M. Colomer 5. Electoral System Design in New Democracies John M. Carey 6. Electoral System Change Alan Renwick Part II. Issues and Representation 7. Social Diversity, Electoral Systems, and the Party System Robert Moser, Ethan Scheiner, and Heather Stoll 8. Electoral Systems and Ethnic Minority Representation David Lublin and Shaun Bowler 9. Electoral Systems and Women's Representation Mona Lena Krook 10. Electoral Systems and Voter Turnout Daniel M. Smith 11. Electoral Systems and Citizen-Elite Ideological Congruence Matthew Golder and Benjamin Ferland 12. Electoral Systems and Issue Polarization James F. Adams and Nathan J. Rexford Part III. Electoral Systems and the Wider Political System 13. Portfolio-maximizing Strategic Voting in Parliamentary Elections Gary W. Cox 14. Presidential and Legislative Elections Mark P. Jones 15. Electoral Systems and Legislative Organization Shane Martin 16. Electoral Systems and Roles in the Legislative Arena Audrey André and Sam Depauw 17. Electoral Systems and Constituency Service Brian F. Crisp and William M. Simoneau 18. Direct Democracy and Referendums Matt Qvortrup 19. Electoral Systems in Authoritarian States Jennifer Gandhi and Abigail L. Heller Part IV. Electoral Systems and Research Design 20. Election Data and Levels of Analysis Ken Kollman 21. Experimental Research Design in the Study of Electoral Systems Joshua Tucker and Dominik Duell 22. Reconciling Approaches in the Study of Mixed-Member Electoral Systems Erik S. Herron, Kuniaki Nemoto, and Misa Nishikawa Part V. Holding Elections 23. Election Administration Thad E. Hall 24. Electoral Systems and Electoral Integrity Pippa Norris 25. Electoral Systems and Redistricting Lisa Handley 26. Electoral Systems and Campaign Finance Joel W. Johnson Part VI. Electoral Systems in Context 27. Electoral Systems in Context: The Netherlands Kristof Jacobs 28. Electoral Systems in Context: Israel Reuven Y. Hazan, Reut Itzkovitch-Malka, and Gideon Rahat 29. Electoral Systems in Context: Finland Åsa von Schoultz 30. Electoral Systems in Context: United Kingdom Thomas Carl Lundberg 31. Electoral Systems in Context: Ireland Michael Marsh 32. Electoral Systems in Context: France Verónica Hoyo 33. Electoral Systems in Context: India Adam Ziegfeld 34. Electoral Systems in Context: United States Steven L. Taylor 35. Electoral Systems in Context: Canada Louis Massicotte 36. Electoral Systems in Context: Australia Ian McAllister and Toni Makkai 37. Electoral Systems in Context: Germany Thomas Zittel Part VII. Electoral Systems in the Context of Reform 38. Electoral Systems in Context: New Zealand Jack Vowles 39. Electoral Systems in Context: Japan Kuniaki Nemoto 40. Electoral Systems in Context: Italy Gianluca Passarelli 41. Electoral Systems in Context: Colombia Steven L. Taylor and Matthew S. Shugart Part VIII. Electoral Systems in the Context of New Democracies 42. Electoral Systems in Context: Ukraine Erik S. Herron 43. Electoral Systems in Context: Indonesia Nathan Allen 44. Electoral Systems in Context: South Africa Karen E. Ferree

"The Oxford Handbook of Electoral Systems is a massive store of knowledge and information, with many of its chapters providing valuable and accessible resources" -- Ron Johnston, LSE Review of Books "The book approaches the topic of elections and electoral system by employing the more quantitative analysis aspects of the topic, and is written for those who are currently working in the fields or looking to join. The content, while dense with statistical analysis, is well written and is easily read and digested. It is not for the casual reader or one who doesn't want to take a deep dive into the topics, but is an excellent resource for a researcher or upper-level student who is participating in advanced studies of elections and electoral systems." --G. Johnson, Knox College, CHOICE

Selling point: The volume provides an in-depth exploration of the origins and effects of electoral systems. Selling point: Contributions from the top scholars in the field cover the design and adoption of election rules, how rules influence representation, policy, and the functions of other institutions, and the emerging horizons of electoral systems research. Selling point: The book addresses key theoretical questions and methodological approaches that will guide elections research in the decades to come and should serve as a key resource for scholars, students, and practitioners. Selling point: As a developed field that has changed substantially over recent years, the study of electoral systems is particularly ripe for a Handbook. Selling point: The book addresses electoral systems and their consequences, including assessments of elections in countries that have held, or will be holding, contentious votes. Chapters on elections in the United States, France, and Germany are especially noteworthy as the rise of populism in democratic societies has raised the profile of these contests.

Erik S. Herron is the Eberly Family Professor of Political Science at West Virginia University. His research focuses on political institutions, especially electoral systems. Prof. Herron has traveled extensively in Eastern Europe and Eurasia, including a term as a Fulbright scholar in Ukraine and thirteen election-observation missions. He has published research in the American Journal of Political Science, the Journal of Politics, World Politics, Comparative Political Studies, Electoral Studies, and other journals, as well as two books: Mixed Electoral Systems: Contamination and Its Consequences (with Federico Ferrara and Misa Nishikawa) and Elections and Democracy after Communism. Robert J. Pekkanen is Professor at the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, Adjunct Professor of Political Science, and Adjunct Professor of Sociology at the University of Washington. He received his Ph.D. in political science from Harvard University in 2002. His research interests lie in electoral systems, political parties, and civil society. He has published articles in political science journals such as the American Political Science Review, the British Journal of Political Science, and Comparative Political Studies, as well as six books on American nonprofit advocacy, Japanese civil society, and Japanese elections and political parties. Matthew S. Shugart is Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Davis, and Affiliated Professor at the University of Haifa. He is a world-renowned scholar of democratic institutions. He is a two-time winner of the George H. Hallet Award, given annually by the Representation and Electoral Systems Section of the American Political Science Association for a book published at least ten years ago that has made a lasting contribution to the field. He won it first for his collaboration with Rein Taagepera, Seats and Votes (1989) and again for Presidents and Assemblies (1992, with John M. Carey). He has participated as an advisor on electoral-system reform and constitutional design in several countries, including Albania, Bulgaria, Colombia, Estonia, and Israel.

Selling point: The volume provides an in-depth exploration of the origins and effects of electoral systems. Selling point: Contributions from the top scholars in the field cover the design and adoption of election rules, how rules influence representation, policy, and the functions of other institutions, and the emerging horizons of electoral systems research. Selling point: The book addresses key theoretical questions and methodological approaches that will guide elections research in the decades to come and should serve as a key resource for scholars, students, and practitioners. Selling point: As a developed field that has changed substantially over recent years, the study of electoral systems is particularly ripe for a Handbook. Selling point: The book addresses electoral systems and their consequences, including assessments of elections in countries that have held, or will be holding, contentious votes. Chapters on elections in the United States, France, and Germany are especially noteworthy as the rise of populism in democratic societies has raised the profile of these contests.