System wyborczy Księstwa Warszawskiego (1807–1815). Zasady i praktyka powoływania Izby Poselskiej
Electoral system of the Duchy of Warsaw (1807–1815). Principles and practice of appointing the Chamber of Deputies

Summary/Abstract: In the article the electoral system for the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Duchy of Warsaw is presented. Its legal bases are indicated: the Constitution of the Duchy and its supplementary decrees. The main elements of the Duchy’s electoral system are presented. Its organisational basis was a network of single-mandate electoral districts created by county assemblies and communal assemblies. Participation in them required the fulfillment of a number of criteria enabling citizens to exercise their electoral rights. The procedure for electing MPs and deputies as well as the voters’ rights are herein discussed. It is remarked that the voters could cast a single vote, an approving vote, or exercise block voting. The rule for deciding in elections is further presented. An electoral victory could result from a unanimous election or from a relative majority of votes. The electoral system of the Duchy of Warsaw is then compared to French proposals and it is demonstrated that it drew mainly from the Polish parliamentary tradition. The practical application of this system in the 1809 and 1811 elections, dominated by the desire for a unanimous election, is outlined.

• Details
• Contents