Electoral District - Swing Seats and Safe Seats

Swing Seats and Safe Seats

Main articles: Marginal seat and Safe seat

Sometimes, particularly under non-proportional winner-take-all voting systems, electoral districts can be prone to landslide victories. A safe seat is one that is very unlikely to be won by a rival politician due to the makeup of its constituency. Conversely, a swing seat is one that could easily swing either way. In United Kingdom general elections, the voting in a relatively small number of swing seats usually determines the outcome of the entire election. Many politicians aspire to have safe seats.

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Famous quotes containing the words swing, seats and/or safe:

    The bells, I say, the bells break down their tower;
    And swing I know not where.
    Hart Crane (1899–1932)

    At cheaper and nearer seats of Learning parents with slender incomes may place their sons in a course of education putting them on a level with the sons of the Richest.
    James Madison (1751–1836)

    The good die young—but not always. The wicked prevail—but not consistently. I am confused by life, and I feel safe within the confines of the theatre.
    Helen Hayes (1900–1993)