Chamber of Deputies of Mexico
Encyclopedia
The Chamber of Deputies is the lower house of the Congress of the Union
, Mexico
's bicameral
legislature. The structure and responsibilities of both chambers of Congress are defined in Articles 50 to 70 of the current constitution.
) there are 500 deputies.
Of these, 300 "majority deputies" are directly elected by plurality
from single-member districts (Federal Electoral Districts
). The remaining 200 "party deputies" are assigned through rules of proportional representation
. These seats are not tied to districts; rather, they are allocated to parties based on each party's share of the national vote. The 200 party deputies are intended to counterbalance the sectional interests of the district-based representatives. Substitutes are elected at the same time as each deputy.
The Chamber of Deputies is completely replaced every three years since seats are not subject to reelection and deputies are not permitted to serve consecutive terms. Congressional elections held halfway into the president's six year mandate are known as mid-term elections.
Congress of Mexico
The Congress of the Union is the legislative branch of the Mexican government...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
's bicameral
Bicameralism
In the government, bicameralism is the practice of having two legislative or parliamentary chambers. Thus, a bicameral parliament or bicameral legislature is a legislature which consists of two chambers or houses....
legislature. The structure and responsibilities of both chambers of Congress are defined in Articles 50 to 70 of the current constitution.
Composition
The Chamber of Deputies is composed of one federal representative (in Spanish: diputado federal) for every 200,000 citizens. Currently (as of 2006 electionMexican general election, 2006
A general election was held in Mexico on Sunday, July 2, 2006. Voters went to the polls to elect, on the federal level:*A new President of the Republic to serve a six-year term, replacing then Mexican President Vicente Fox .*500 members to serve for a...
) there are 500 deputies.
Of these, 300 "majority deputies" are directly elected by plurality
Plurality voting system
The plurality voting system is a single-winner voting system often used to elect executive officers or to elect members of a legislative assembly which is based on single-member constituencies...
from single-member districts (Federal Electoral Districts
Federal Electoral Districts of Mexico
The Federal Electoral Districts of Mexico are the 300 constituencies or electoral districts into which Mexico is divided for the purpose of federal elections. Each district returns one Federal Deputy, who sits in the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of the Federal Congress...
). The remaining 200 "party deputies" are assigned through rules of proportional representation
Proportional representation
Proportional representation is a concept in voting systems used to elect an assembly or council. PR means that the number of seats won by a party or group of candidates is proportionate to the number of votes received. For example, under a PR voting system if 30% of voters support a particular...
. These seats are not tied to districts; rather, they are allocated to parties based on each party's share of the national vote. The 200 party deputies are intended to counterbalance the sectional interests of the district-based representatives. Substitutes are elected at the same time as each deputy.
The Chamber of Deputies is completely replaced every three years since seats are not subject to reelection and deputies are not permitted to serve consecutive terms. Congressional elections held halfway into the president's six year mandate are known as mid-term elections.
See also
- President of the Chamber of Deputies Directive BoardPresident of the Chamber of Deputies Directive BoardThe President of the Chamber of Deputies Directive Board is the presiding officer of the Chamber of Deputies of Mexico. This position is analogous to the Speaker of the House in other Legislatures....
- Congress of MexicoCongress of MexicoThe Congress of the Union is the legislative branch of the Mexican government...
- Senate of MexicoSenate of MexicoThe Senate of the Republic, constitutionally Chamber of Senators of the Honorable Congress of the Union After a series of reforms during the 1990s, it is now made up of 128 senators:...
- Politics of MexicoPolitics of MexicoThe politics of Mexico take place in a framework of a federal presidential representative democratic republic whose government is based on a congressional system, whereby the president of Mexico is both head of state and head of government, and of a multi-party system...