Parametric vs. divisor methods of apportionment

This paper formulates a new criterion that distinguishes the set of parametric methods within the set of all the divisor methods of apportionment. The criterion—that a method transfer seats as it “should”—asks that as population (or the votes of parties in a PR system) is shifted more and more from one state to another state (from one party to another party) at some point the first state (or party) is apportioned one less seat, the second state (or party) one more seat, and the remaining apportionments are as they were. It goes on to examine several properties of parametric methods.