06 – Proportional Representation in the United States
Instructor
Stephen Willson
Stephen Willson is Professor of Mathematics and University Professor, emeritus, at Iowa State University. He has previously taught OLLI courses “Mathematics of Social Choice,” “Mathematics of Politics,” and “Some Mathematics of Art”.
Three weeks: Monday, Oct. 6 – 20, 2025
1 – 2:30 p.m. CT
Cost: $50
Class limit 25
Online with Zoom
Course Description
In the United States, very few districts are competitive between the two major parties. Usually, it is clear in each district which party will win. Most western democracies have instead proportional representation, with more than two parties; the number of delegates belonging to a given party is made proportional to the number of votes received by that party. Nothing in the U.S. Constitution forbids proportional representation. We study such a system.