Why should I vote yes?
What is wrong with our current voting system?
What is STV and where is it used?
How does BC-STV work?
Who was the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform?
Why did the Citizens’ Assembly choose STV?
Why is there a second referendum?
Who is opposed to STV?
Will STV make more votes count?
Is STV proportional?
What’s the link between proportionality and accountability?
How does STV improve local representation?
Will STV improve stability?
Could STV help us elect more women and minorities?
Will STV give us more minority governments?
Will more independents and small parties be elected under STV?
Does counting require a computer?
How many votes are needed to get elected?
Who determines the riding boundaries?
Who would be my MLA?
How does the role of political parties change under STV?
Who would form the government? Who would be our premier?
What stays the same?
Why should I vote yes?
Our current first past the post system is deeply flawed. Even the people who want no change don’t try to defend it. On the other hand, BC-STV can give us:
What is wrong with our current voting system?
Our current electoral system does not translate votes into seats accurately. The flaws in our current first past the post system show how badly it needs replacing:
What is STV and where is it used?
Single Transferable Vote is a modern, well-established voting system, and the longest-established form of proportional representation. Countries that use STV include Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. It has been proposed for use in Wales. BC-STV has been tailored by the Citizens’ Assembly to fit British Columbia. It is compatible with our parliamentary system, gives political parties a balanced role and strengthens the relationship between MLAs and the voters. Its design ensures voters have effective voices in government.
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How does BC-STV work?
Voters will notice two main differences between our current first past the post system and BC-STV. A new map – the province will be divided up into 20 multimember districts. A new way to vote – instead of just marking one ‘x’ voters can rank as few or as many preferences as they want, 1,2,3. Find out more...
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Who was the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform?
In 2003, the Legislature voted unanimously to examine BC’s voting system. They turned the job over to an independent Citizens’ Assembly since it would be a conflict of interest for the politicians to design the system that would elect them. That Citizens’ Assembly was made up of men and women selected at random from the BC voters’ list – one man and one woman from each riding in BC. This volunteer body met for 11 months, researching systems and listening to both election experts and ordinary voters. By the end of their term, 95% of the members voted to recommend STV to the people of BC.
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Why did the Citizens’ Assembly choose STV?
The Citizens’ Assembly spent close to one year learning about electoral system and listening to British Columbians. People from throughout the province told the Assembly that they wanted a fair system with improved local representation and greater voter choice. More info...
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Why is there a second referendum?
In 2005, 58% of voters preferred STV to the current, flawed system. However, the government had decided in advance that 60% was the required result to adopt STV. Because the vote was so close to this threshold, British Columbians found themselves in a difficult position: how could we continue to elect government using a system that a clear majority of voters did not want? The government decided to resolve the issue with another referendum. Since 2005 the independent Electoral Boundaries Commission has drawn BC-STV districts, giving voters more concrete information.
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Who is opposed to STV?
Some people want to protect the status quo because the distortions of the current first past the post system work in their favour. In Ireland, politicians from the major parties have twice asked the voters in a referendum to change from STV to our own flawed system. The voters have refused. Our system serves politicians. STV serves the voter.
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Will STV make more votes count?
It is impossible to guarantee every voter gets to elect a representative they want, but BC-STV comes close. Currently only 50% of voters choose a winning candidate. Under BC-STV, about 80-90% of voters will see one of their choices elected.
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Is STV proportional?
Yes – based on almost 100 years of STV elections we see that this system accurately translates votes into seats. Under STV a party that get 9 – 10% of the vote will win close to the equivalent number of seats, unlike our current first past the post system, which leaves these voters unrepresented. It also means that 40% of the votes won’t turn into 60% of the seats, as it does now. If you earn 40% you win 40%.
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What’s the link between proportionality and accountability?
When votes aren’t accurately translated into seats, it’s hard to hold a government accountable. When 40% of the votes win 60% of the seats and 100% of the power, voters don’t have a direct means to call for change. Proportionality is important not only because it’s fairer, but also because it is critical to delivering truly accountable government.
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How does STV improve local representation?
STV improves local representation by ensuring that more voters elect a candidate of their choice, broadening the points of view and giving MLAs a greater incentive to serve. Currently only 40 -50% of voters have an MLA they voted for – MLAs can ignore the rest. With STV, 80 – 90% of voters will help elect an MLA. What’s more, STV encourages comparison-shopping for voters, both within and across party lines.
MLAs know that the voters can choose another candidate from their own party, or a candidate from another party who has served them better.
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Will STV improve stability?
Our current first past the post system delivers governments that last about four years – so does STV. But there is more to stability than just how long a government stays in office. Voters look for stable policy making and governance. Our current, flawed system encourages polarized policy-making, and seesaw governments, leading to instability. STV encourages politicians to work together better, and create enduring legislation which contributes to a better investment, business and labour climate.
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Could STV help us elect more women and minorities?
STV removes barriers to diversity – let’s consider the case of women’s representation. Where you see the difference between systems is in the upper potential for women. Under our current, flawed system Canada has reached the top of the range at 22 – 24%. However, with proportional systems such as STV, the upper potential for women ranges from 40 – 50%. Since Canadian voters have no problem voting for women, the
success of STV will depend on political parties’ commitment to gender equity. Strategic parties will broaden their appeal by putting forward more diverse slates that include both women and minorities.
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Will STV give us more minority governments?
STV would give us no more minority governments than our current first past the post system, maybe less. In the past 50 years, Ireland, using STV has had fewer minority governments than Canada has using first past the post. STV delivers the government people vote for. Given our voting history, this would likely be one or two party (coalition) majority governments. In STV coalitions, parties choose their partners wisely and the voters often know the partners prior to an election. Governments have similar longevity to our current first past the post system (four years), but far greater stability. Voters reward parties that work together.
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Will more independents and small parties be elected under STV?
BC-STV makes it easier for popular independent and small-party
candidates to win seats because it accurately translates votes into seats. Popular local candidates and community activists who earn support across the spectrum are often successful.
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Does counting require a computer?
No -- STV is much older than computers, and hand-counts were still done until recently. Today, computers can help us tally paper ballots quickly and are used for all sorts of voting systems. They are used today in municipal elections in many parts of the province. Manual recounts ensure the count is accurate.
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How many votes does a candidate need to get elected?
In a 2-seat district, a candidate will need 1/3 of the total votes cast. In a 3-seat district, a candidate will need 1/4 of the votes. This is known as the “quota”. Regardless of district size, a candidate will need around 20,000 votes. Learn more about how STV works...
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Who determines the riding boundaries?
An independent Boundaries Commission meets after every second election to determine the riding sizes. They have produced boundaries for this current election and proposed districts for BC-STV. Their report is at www.BC-EBC.ca
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Who would be my MLA?
You choose. If you need assistance from an MLA, or want to ask them to bring an important local issue to Victoria you can go to the MLA(s) you voted for (80-90% of voters will have elected at least one MLA), or the one who lives closest to you, or the one who gives the best service. Or you can take your concern to all your MLAs and see who best meets your needs.
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Who would form the government? Who would be our premier?
As is currently the case, the party that wins the most seats would be asked by the Lieutenant Governor to form a government. They may be able to hold a majority on their own, or may need the support of another party. Their leader would become Premier.
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How does the role of political parties change under STV?
Under the current, flawed system, voters feel that political parties take them for granted and MLAs represent the party to the people, not the other way around. In contrast, with STV:
BC-STV would not require an increase or decrease in the total number of MLAs, which is 85 for the May 2009 election. BC-STV would not change the functions of the cabinet, premier or the Lieutenant-Governor. Administering elections would continue to be done by Elections BC, an independent office of the Legislature. Boundaries would continue to be determined by an Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission after every two elections. And the same rules about eligibility to vote in elections would apply.
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