What is at-large definition government?

In a government system, "at-large" refers to the designation of an elected official who represents an entire city, county, or region, instead of just a specific district or ward within that jurisdiction. At-large representatives are commonly used in local government bodies such as city councils, school boards, and county commissions. This type of election and representation is also present in some state legislatures and, to a lesser extent, in the federal government. The idea behind at-large representation is that officials are accountable to all residents, not just those in a particular district or ward. However, critics of at-large representation argue that it can result in less diverse representation because candidates from certain neighborhoods or demographics may not be able to compete effectively in elections. Additionally, at-large representation systems may be challenged under federal law if they prevent some groups from having an equal say in elected bodies.