This study investigates the impact of electoral system changes on candidate selection processes, focusing on the transition from closed-list proportional representation to preferential voting systems in the German city-states of Hamburg and Bremen. The analysis explores how these reforms influence voter behavior, party strategies, and, ultimately, political representation, highlighting the effects of open-list proportional representation (OLPR) systems.
The research demonstrates that OLPR systems encourage party gatekeepers to consider strategic candidate characteristics, emphasizing gender, localness, and migration background. The study also examines political parties' strategic adaptations to maximize electoral success, including the inclusion of candidates with broader appeal or local ties.
Using candidate lists from elections from 2009 to 2024, this research aims to isolate the effects of the electoral reform in Hamburg and Bremen and examine its influence on the inclusion and representation of disadvantaged groups, namely immigrants and ethnic and cultural minorities.
The research contributes to the broader discourse on electoral reforms by demonstrating the nuanced interplay between electoral systems, candidate selection, and political representation. It highlights the potential of preferential voting systems to enhance descriptive and substantive representation.