What is the system in which a candidate receives a percentage of a state's delegates based on the percentage of votes they achieve?

• A. Majority representation
• B. Winner-take-all
• C. Proportional representation
• D. Direct voting

Answer: (C)

Proportional representation is a system where candidates receive delegates in proportion to the share of votes they receive in an election. This method is often used in the primaries for the nomination of presidential candidates, particularly within the Democratic Party. For instance, if a candidate receives 30% of the votes in a state primary, they would be allocated approximately 30% of that state's delegates, allowing for a more equitable representation of voters' preferences. This system aims to reflect the diversity of opinions within the electorate, fostering a broader representation of viewpoints in party decisions and ultimately leading to a more democratic process in candidate selection.

In contrast, majority representation would typically involve a candidate needing to secure over 50% of the votes to gain all the delegates, while winner-take-all systems award all delegates to the candidate with the most votes, regardless of the margin. Direct voting refers to a system where voters directly cast their ballots for candidates without intermediaries, but does not inherently include the proportional allocation of delegates seen in proportional representation.