Frequent Questions.

We currently use a “first-past-the-post” system where only the candidate representing the largest block of voters wins. Candidates from one party can sweep a whole region even if a majority of voters choose other parties. Smaller parties and independents are shut out entirely. Parties often win 60% of the seats with 40% of the votes. At best only half of voters get representation and because parties run head to head for each seat, elections are often negative and politics are centralized. 

Created by unanimous vote of  the legislature, the BC Citizens’ Assembly -- a group of 160 ordinary citizens chosen randomly -- met for a year in 2004, and considered many possible voting systems. After extensive public consultations --  they finally chose BC-STV by a wide margin.

‘STV’ stands for Single Transferable Vote and is a way to elect MLAs (provincial politicians).  The MLAs for a region are elected together in a multi-MLA district and each voter casts a ‘single’ vote.  Each voter lists their preferences. Votes are counted in rounds, if your first-choice candidate is not elected, your vote isn't lost, but can be ‘transferred’ to another candidate you like. Most voters get a representative they voted for.

Voting is as easy as 1,2,3 -- just rank your favourite candidates. You only need to vote for one, but can choose more to ensure that more of your vote gets counted.

Most districts will elect 4 or 5 MLAs,but a few have as many as 7 or as few as 2 depending on population density. As today, the districts maintain a principle of representation by population -- each MLA will represent about 50,000 people. In Northern BC, the districts will be a similar size to the federal ridings.

An independent Boundaries Commission meets after every second election to determine the riding sizes. Their report is at www.BC-EBC.ca

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. Candidates can get elected by 1st choice votes or votes transferred from other candidates.

Mostly, votes are transferred when least popular candidates are eliminated, and a voter’s ballot goes towards their second preference instead of their first. A smaller number of votes are transferred when candidates go 'over quota’ – get more votes than needed. In this case, the unused portion of each ballot is transferred to a voter’s next choice. Your vote will only to a candidate you ranked and Elections BC will publish the results so you can see exactly where your vote went.

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.  The ballots can be manually recounted to ensure the count is accurate.

Yes.  In Ireland where STV has been used since 1922, the share of seats a party gets is usually within 5% of the number of votes a party receives. 

STV also encourages parties to run more diverse candidates.  STV allows younger voters or minorities to pool their votes to elect a candidate that represents them. Parties will need to work to attract these voters.

This results in a legislature that better represents the population.

Does every vote 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 90% of voters will see one of their choices elected.

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.

STV delivers the government people vote for. Given our voting history, this would likely be one or two party (coalition) majority governments. In coalitions, parties choose their partners wisely and the voters often know the partners prior to an election. Parties that work together are rewarded by voters.

Fair voting systems allow for very stable government, as elections do not results in distorted results so parties are less anxious to rush to an election. Ironically, Canada has had MORE elections that most other countries because first past the post results in adversarial politics and party leaders will often call snap elections to take control of the poll. In other countries that use fair systems, policy is more consistent and controversial decisions require a much higher degree of deliberation. Governments must seek broad consensus for policies. Sweden, Ireland, Germany, Australia and many of the world's top economies use fair systems and have systems where political parties are able to put aside their differences to work together.

Will I still have a local representative in a larger district?

Yes. Political parties will put forward a number of candidates to build broad support and from different parts of the riding. In Ireland, for instance, parties will run candidates from different communities to ensure that they can maximize their percentage of the votes. Voters can vote across party lines or for independents to ensure they have a local representative. It is nearly impossible for one city to dominate a region, because each voter only gets a single vote.

Why do some ridings have 2 seats and some have 7 seats?

Most ridings have 4 or 5 representatives. This ensures that over 80% of voters will have a representative who matches their value. A special allotment is made for rural and northern areas to correspond with natural boundaries. Peace River is the only area with less than three seats. However, both the Mayors of Dawson Creek and Fort St. John have endorsed BC-STV. Each voters has roughly an equal number of representatives per population. A riding with 6 seats has double the population as a riding with 3 seats.

What if we don't like BC-STV?

Ireland and Australia have used it for nearly 100 years and voters highly like it. The BC Citizens' Assembly recommended we have three elections and then evaluate how it works. However, if we are not satisfied with the results, we can always change back or try a different variation. However, if BC likes the results, it could help encourage Canada to also put in place a fairer electoral system.

Who will form a coalition if there is not a majority?

Coalitions usually are formed from groups of like minded politicians. Political parties in Canada already exist as coalitions, for instance, the federal conservatives are a coalition of the old "reform party" and the "progressive conservatives". In Europe, we often see either center left or center right coalitions formed. In some cases, we may even see the two largest parties set aside their difference to work together such as currently the case in Germany. With BC-STV, parties can put aside differences, because candidates no longer have to compete head to head for each seat.

Will I know exactly where my vote went?

Yes, Elections BC will provide a list of which candidates get elected, which get eliminated, and which votes got transferred. You can always refer back to it after election day. Your vote will only go to candidates who you ranked, and will always go to your first choice unless they are eliminated. If your first choice gets more votes than they need, a portion of your vote may go to your second choice. This allows you to vote freely, without worrying about splitting the vote.

Is BC-STV better for the Liberals or the NDP?

Neither, it is better for the voters as they get more choice and fairer results. Liberal supporters may remember 1996, when the NDP won with less votes. NDP supporters may remember the 2001 election, when BC had no opposition. STV will ensure that each election, the results are fair. Supporters of a political party also have new ability to hold their candidates accountable. If you are unhappy with your local MLA, you can vote for a different candidate from the same party.

Would BC-STV work like city councils in that one party could sweep all the seats?

No. City council uses "block voting" or the "at-large system", where each voter has 10 votes to use. With BC-STV, each voter has one vote and only needs to rank as many candidates as they want. The one similarity is that with BC-STV is that like city council, you can always turn to more than one representative to raise your issue. If one of your MLAs does not address your concerns, you have three other ones who you can listen to.

Who is my MLA? Who do I turn to?

With BC-STV, you could turn to any of the MLAs. One may be better at dealing with business issues, another may be more familiar with environmental concerns or labour issues. It is your choice. You may even turn to the candidate who lives closest to you, or all of them.

Will BC-STV increase voter turnout?

A lot of people think it will. Countries like Ireland, Australia, and Malta have a much higher voter turnout because every vote counts. Voters will no longer have an excuse for not voting, because with BC-STV, each vote can make a difference.

Will the ballot have hundreds of names on it?

No. It is more likely that there will be between 12 and 18 candidates. However, they will be grouped by party, so you could choose to rank only the 3 or 4 candidates running for the party you support. Like going into a video store, if you only like action movies, you never even have to look at the dramas.

Voters get more choices to find the candidate they most agree with, without worrying about wasting their vote.  This shifts some control from political parties to the voters. In almost every district, voters will have representatives from both the government and the opposition to turn to -- which is not the case in many regions today. This results in  more balanced government.  

Other benefits to BC-STV may include less negative campaigns. It will be more important for candidates to reach out to supporters of other candidates and parties.