D'Hondt method

<p>The D'Hondt method, also called the Jefferson method or the greatest divisors method, is an <a href="/facts/Apportionment_(politics)/5dfqPcV0">apportionment method</a> for allocating seats in parliaments among <a href="/facts/Federal_states/R846sufb">federal states</a>, or in <a href="/facts/Proportional_representation/69pRhsx9">proportional representation</a> among political parties. It belongs to the class of <a href="/facts/Highest_averages_method/DwF5mkS2">highest-averages methods</a>. Compared to ideal proportional representation, the D'Hondt method reduces somewhat the political fragmentation for smaller <a href="/facts/Electoral_district/BscesP5j">electoral district</a> sizes, where it favors larger political parties over small parties.
</p><p>The method was first described in 1792 by American <a href="/facts/United_States_Secretary_of_State/AgUe4Dkq">Secretary of State</a> and later <a href="/facts/President_of_the_United_States/oMsfmLb1">President of the United States</a> <a href="/facts/Thomas_Jefferson/8yxtcjKK">Thomas Jefferson</a>. It was re-invented independently in 1878 by Belgian mathematician <a href="/facts/Victor_D%27Hondt/QesUI10N">Victor D'Hondt</a>, which is the reason for its two different names.
</p>

D'Hondt method open-in-new

D'Hondt method