Bautista proposes replacing D’Hondt Method in Dominican elections

Santo Domingo.- Senator Félix Bautista of San Juan has submitted a bill to the Senate seeking to eliminate the D’Hondt method used to allocate seats for representatives, council members and municipal district representatives.

The proposal would replace the proportional representation system, in use in the Dominican Republic since the 1997 electoral reform, with an alternative model intended to achieve a fairer distribution of elected positions and more accurately reflect voters’ choices.

Bautista argued that the D’Hondt system has favored larger political parties in collegiate bodies, limiting the representation of emerging and minority forces and weakening democratic pluralism.

The senator said the initiative aims to open a broader discussion on modernizing the electoral system, strengthening proportional representation and ensuring greater equity in the distribution of seats.

If approved, the proposed reform could significantly change the way seats are allocated in Dominican elections and give smaller political organizations greater opportunities to participate in decision-making.