Description
One district contribution to the half-sum absolute seat/population share discrepancy.
Election and representation indicators depend on the selected vote, seat, population, or eligibility denominator. A threshold also needs an explicit equality and rounding rule. A single quotient, balance, or share can support a larger counting workflow without implementing the full electoral procedure.
One district contribution to the half-sum absolute seat/population share discrepancy.
When to use this tool
Use Malapportionment One District Contribution when you need this particular counting term under an explicit vote, seat, threshold, or reporting-base rule.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter districtSeats, totalSeats, districtPopulation, totalPopulation. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read seatShare, populationShare, halfAbsoluteGap. Use the output convention below.
Require positive totalSeats and totalPopulation and valid district components. Return seatShare, populationShare, and halfAbsoluteGap=abs(seatShare-populationShare)/2.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| districtSeats | District Seats | Required. Safe integer; minimum 0. |
| totalSeats | Total Seats | Required. Safe integer; minimum 1. |
| districtPopulation | District Population | Required. Finite number; minimum 0. |
| totalPopulation | Total Population | Required. Finite number; strictly above 0. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| seatShare | Seat Share | Required. Finite number. |
| populationShare | Population Share | Required. Finite number. |
| halfAbsoluteGap | Half Absolute Gap | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"districtSeats": 3,
"totalSeats": 10,
"districtPopulation": 20,
"totalPopulation": 100
},
"output": {
"seatShare": 0.3,
"populationShare": 0.2,
"halfAbsoluteGap": 0.04999999999999999
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- This is one district's contribution to a sum of half absolute gaps. It is not the complete malapportionment index or a legal judgment about districting.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Signed zero is exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Compare the supplied counting rule with the authoritative procedure for the relevant election or chamber. Complete allocations need additional eligibility, ranking, transfer, tie, and reporting rules beyond one arithmetic term.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- District Magnitude Share
For positive integer allSeats and districtSeats within zero through allSeats return share=districtSeats/allSeats.
- District Magnitude Vote Quota Term
Hare votes-per-seat quotient on an explicit valid-vote base.