Germany uses the
mixed-member proportional representation system, a system of
proportional representation combined with elements of
first-past-the-post voting. The Bundestag has 598 nominal members, elected for a four-year term; these seats are distributed between the sixteen German states in proportion to the states' number of eligible voters. Every elector has two votes: a constituency vote (
first vote) and a party list vote (
second vote). Based solely on the first votes, 299 members are elected in
single-member constituencies by first-past-the-post voting (
Direktmandat). The second votes are used to produce a proportional number of seats for parties, first in the states, and then in the Bundestag. Seats are allocated using the
Sainte-Laguë method. If a party wins fewer constituency seats in a state than its second votes would entitle it to, it receives additional seats from the relevant state list. Parties can file lists in every single state under certain conditions, such as a fixed number of supporting signatures. Parties can receive second votes only in those states in which they have filed a state list. The same applies if an independent candidate wins a single-member constituency, which has not happened since
1949. If a voter cast a first vote for a successful independent candidate or a successful candidate whose party failed to qualify for proportional representation, his or her second vote does not count toward proportional representation; however, it counts toward whether the elected party exceeds the 5% threshold. Parties representing recognized national minorities (currently
Danes,
Frisians,
Sorbs, and
Romani people) are exempt from the 5% threshold. ==Nationwide==