Electoral systems greatly influence political party systems by determining how votes translate into seats. For instance, proportional representation systems often lead to multi-party structures, allowing smaller parties to gain representation, while winner-takes-all systems tend to favor larger parties and foster a two-party system. This can impact the diversity of voices in the legislature and the overall representation of different interest groups. Consequently, the design of electoral systems plays a key role in shaping the behavior and strategies of political parties, affecting governance and policy outcomes significantly.