Are higher-magnitude electoral districts always better for small parties?

High-magnitude electoral districts are widely believed to lead to greater representation for smaller parties. This article refines the conventional wisdom by taking electoral geography into account. When small political parties have geographically concentrated support bases, then no systematic relationship exists between district magnitude and legislative representation. High-magnitude districts do not advantage small parties whose supporters are geographically concentrated. Evidence in support of this claim comes from India and Israel. The article shows what counterfactual Indian and Israeli legislatures would look like if seats were allocated using electoral districts of varying magnitudes and highlights how parties with geographically concentrated support bases win similar seat totals, irrespective of district magnitude.

► I refine existing theory on district magnitude and small party representation.
► Electoral geography determines the effect of district magnitude on representation.
► High-magnitude districts do not help small geographically concentrated parties.
► High-magnitude districts in India would not help small parties win seats.
► Low-magnitude districts in Israel would not diminish many parties' seat totals.