Electoral System Reform and the Representation of Ethnic Minorities

It is well-known that electoral systems affect the representation of minority groups, with proportional representation systems such as MMP (Mixed Member Proportional) system in general positively affecting the representation of minority groups in Parliament. While this has been widely studied for the representation of women, less is known about the link between the electoral system and the representation of ethnic minorities. Therefore, this paper examines the long-run consequences of electoral system change in relation to the representation of ethnic minorities. Particular attention is paid to the case of the introduction of MMP in New Zealand’s shift from First Past the Post to the MMP system in 1996, with this case situated in the context of Germany, with its longer experience with a mixed electoral system. Drawing on literature on electoral systems, political representation and political parties, we examine the political representation of migrant background minorities in New Zealand since the first elections under MMP in 1996, relative to other groups in the Parliament. The paper places a focus on the distinct List and Electorate mechanisms of MMP, assessing differences in the ways migrant background politicians are elected, as List or Electorate MP. This distinction is important, as it has been suggested that electorate MPs are perceived as having a more prestigious role, and as being more recognizable and closer to the constituents than List MPs. Yet, this commonly used so-called ‘mandate divide’ disregards the fact that many MPs campaign both as a list and an electorate candidate. Therefore, we will also look into the ways candidates have campaigned (as List candidate, Electorate candidate, or both), experiences which are likely to influence the candidates’ likelihood of being elected. Our findings suggest that ethnic minorities in the New Zealand Parliament are significantly more likely to campaign and be elected as List MPs than European-descent MPs, although differences in List versus Electorate representation exist across ethnic minority groups. Given the importance of List votes for political parties in proportional systems, ethnic minority representation therefore fluctuates and is highly dependent on parties’ success in the nationwide list vote. The paper concludes by discussing the findings in this case in relation to broader patterns and explanations of migrant background representation in Germany with its similar MMP system, and across Europe more broadly.