We're familiar with a three-class system for airplane seats, aboard old ocean liners, on some trains, and even for society as a whole. But what about for voting? From 1848 to the foundation of the Weimar Republic in 1918, Prussia, first as an independent nation and later as the largest constituent of the German Empire, had a three-class voting system. Those who paid the top third of tax revenue formed the first class; the middle third of tax revenue formed the second class, and the lower third of tax revenue formed a third class. The three classes contributed equally to the choice of electors, who would then vote for their desired candidate. This meant that the vote of a single rich person was worth several votes among the other classes. Voting was also done orally and in person, without a secret ballot.
The challenge is to have any country, including Prussia within Germany after 1918, using a weighted-class voting system at any time within the 20th century. Survival of the system to the present day is not a requirement. The number and structure of the classes is also variable; those who do not pay taxes may be included as the lowest class. It's difficult to imagine direct voting without some form of electoral college, but that too is optional. Finally, the voting does not have to be oral; a secret ballot can be used.
PS: In 1933, 39.9 million out of 66.0 million Germans (61%) lived in Prussia. Could the NSDAP still obtain the 43.9% of the popular vote that launched them into power?
The challenge is to have any country, including Prussia within Germany after 1918, using a weighted-class voting system at any time within the 20th century. Survival of the system to the present day is not a requirement. The number and structure of the classes is also variable; those who do not pay taxes may be included as the lowest class. It's difficult to imagine direct voting without some form of electoral college, but that too is optional. Finally, the voting does not have to be oral; a secret ballot can be used.
PS: In 1933, 39.9 million out of 66.0 million Germans (61%) lived in Prussia. Could the NSDAP still obtain the 43.9% of the popular vote that launched them into power?