NEW SAMPLE BALLOT FOR NEW VOTE COUNTING SYSTEM
Do you agree that when you vote, you want your vote to be represented by an elected representative that your vote helped to elect? When you have concerns to discuss, is that the person whom you would most like to discuss your concerns?
If it is, I’m confident that you want to consider this new point-based electoral system, Preferential Ridings Proportional with Second-choice Vote, PRP2. Here Is the proposed ballot for PRP2:
How important are inclusion and engagement in a representative democracy?
Description of Preferential Ridings Proportional with Second-choice Vote
PRP2 electoral system
Electoral areas or regions are formed and have between 4 and 10 seats; half paired-riding seats and half proportional seats.
With PRP2, all party Candidates have two ways to win a seat: 1) Riding seat or 2) Proportional seat:
1) points from own votes only, or 2) with additional points of same party candidates’ votes.
Candidates gain one point each time chosen ahead of another candidate (David Nash – Edmonton). No additional seats are needed, but ridings are two times larger. Each seat is won by the candidate with the most points in the candidate’s riding. The winner can be the candidate with the least 1st choice votes – if that candidate has the most points. Only one count is needed to elect the winner. This Mixed-Member-Proportional (MMP) system has increased vote representation under the present First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system from less than 50% to over 90%. With second-choice votes, it is possible for 100% of voters to be represented.
In Yukon’s 2016 election under FPTP (Yukon’s most recent majority government), only 46% of ballots cast were represented in the legislature.
We need almost all, if not all, votes represented so that voters can discuss their concerns with an MP/MLA they elected. Would your MLA like her/his votes in the House meaningfully valued, whether in Government or Opposition? Majority governments do not need Opposition votes. Minority governments do.
If you like this ballot and think that it could enliven change to more truly representative democracy with minority governments that require collaboration (cooperation), see what a friend thinks of this ballot. Also ask your MP and MLA if they would like minority governments in which their vote always has value.
Respectfully presented,
Dave Brekke, genuinely concerned former Yukon Returning Officer (RO)
After learning how dysfunctional Canada’s present electoral system is in 2005, it concerned me. I served on the 2005 Elections Canada Special Committee of eighteen ROs formed to determine funding for proposals to increase voter turnout at elections. Committee member stood and angrily said
At the first meeting, directly following introductions, one committee member stood and angrily said: “What the hell are we looking at this stuff for? Why aren’t we looking at our electoral system?”
That shocked me when I thought about the peacefulness in Canada, and the candidate with the most votes wins the seat and the most seats wins Government. Immediately an Elections Canada official stood and said, “That is a political statement. Cannot even be recorded here, let alone discussed”.
Understandably, ROs are not to be political. RO’s election experience and knowledge though, seems very valuable during consideration of electoral system change. However, it was in after-meetings that I learned about electoral systems. New Zealand stuck out for me, because their British history was similar to Canada’s.
I learned that almost all votes can be represented in a Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) system. Under Canada’s present First Past the Post (FPTP), only the votes for the winning candidates are represented. I liked that inclusiveness and no longer felt comfortable being a returning officer.
My resignation as RO was not accepted until I validated the 2006 Yukon riding’s election results. Since then, I have been on a quest for a better electoral system and trying to raise awareness of the need for electoral system change.
Are you aware of a simpler, more effective transitional electoral system for system change that has a higher degree of readiness for voters than you can see in the PRP2 ballot shown? At this time, I am not aware of one, but certainly interested in finding one.
For future more truly representative, empowering and engaging democracy, do you think that democracies using the present First Past the Post system will benefit from consideration for implementation of this Preferential Ridings Proportional with Second-choice Vote, PRP2, system?
NICHIH GWANAt’IN – Looking forward,
Dave Brekke, resigned former returning officer for Yukon
FUTURE REFERENDUM FOR YUKON
In case you are not aware, following training by the Yukon Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reform, Yukon voters are to vote in a referendum between the Ranked- Ballot system and the First-Past -the-Post system. NEITHER OF THESE TWO SYSTEMS HAVE PROPORTIONALITY FOR INCLUSIVENESS. I am confident that most voters will prefer discussing any concerns or suggestions that they may have with someone their vote elected. With the PRP2 system, all voters can almost be assured of that.
WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR MORE TRULY REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY AND COLLABORATIVE GOVERNANCE?
REQUEST YUKON’S SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ELECTORAL REFORM AND YOUR MLA TO ESTABLISH A PREFERENTIAL BALLOT FOR YOUR CHOICE OF ELECTORAL SYSTEM BETWEEN:
- RANKED BALLOT
- PREFERENTIAL RIDINGS WITH SECOND-CHOICE VOTE
- FIRST PAST THE POST
At this time, following public education by the Yukon Citizens Assembly, a referendum is planned for a choice between only RANKED BALLOT and our present FIRST-PAST-THE-POST. Neither of these two systems have proportional representation.
For future generations and ourselves, will you discuss this with a friend and express concern as suggested above?
For contact information, go to Yukon Government Info: 867 633 4418