Electoral systems vary widely across different countries, influencing how votes are translated into political power. Common systems include first-past-the-post, proportional representation, and ranked-choice voting. In first-past-the-post systems, the candidate with the most votes wins, which can lead to a two-party dominance. Proportional representation allocates seats based on the percentage of votes received, allowing for greater representation of diverse political parties. Ranked-choice voting enables voters to rank candidates, ensuring that elected officials have broad support. These variations have profound impacts on political representation, party dynamics, and voter engagement.