Abstract
Pursuant to the Constitution of the Czech Republic, the elections to the Chamber of Deputies are organised on the basis of the electoral system of proportional representation. One of variables shaping the form of a specific proportional system are the so-called preferential votes.
Rules which at present govern using preferential votes in the Czech Republic are very strict. Approximately about three quarters of preferential votes cast fall through and do not influence the outcome of the elections.
The reason for this situation should especially be seen in the excessively high number of preferential votes which a candidate must obtain if the preferential votes are to be counted in. The possibility is to reduce the necessary fraction out of all votes cast for an electoral ballot down to maximally 1–2%.
The author prefers this option, as a means of strengthening the influence of voters on the electoral result and, to some extent, also on the personal selection of candidates offered by political parties.