Some allocation methods have, however, been introduced so as to enable all the seats to be allocated in a single operation. These methods are all based on the following general principle: the number of votes cast in favour of each of the lists is divided by sequential numbers. The seats are allocated to the lists which obtain the highest quotas during this operation. We have set out below the main divisor methods which have been applied in practice.

- The D’Hondt method: the votes obtained by each list are divided by a sequence of wholenumbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5… The seats are allocated to the lists obtaining the highest quotas. This method tends to favour the majority party.

- The Sainte-Laguë method: the votes obtained by each list are divided by a sequence of oddnumbers: 1, 3, 5, 7… The seats are distributed among the lists which obtain the highestaverages. The Sainte-Laguë method is distinctly more favourable to small parties than theD’Hondt method.

- The modified Sainte-Laguë method: it differs from the Saint-Laguë method only in that the first divisor is replaced by 1.4. This method is more favourable to small parties than theD’Hondt method, but does not overly advantage them. It also affords fairer representation for medium-sized parties. It is used today in Sweden, in Norway and also in Denmark for small constituencies.

- The so-called “Danish” method: the number of votes obtained by each list is divided by thefollowing numbers: 1, 4, 7, 10…This system is extremely favourable for small parties. InDenmark, this method is used to distribute, among small constituencies, seats attributed to aparty at the level of a group of constituencies.