Voting Systems Background

The current system, first past the post (FPTP) is easy, the candidate with the most votes wins.  The ACE Electoral Knowledge Network which is joint effort by a number of organizations including Elections Canada has a overview of FPTP and other voting systems. From the ACE Encyclopaedia.

• First Past The Post (FPTP) and its advantages and disadvantages.
• Proportional Representation (PR) and its advantages and disadvantages.
• Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) and its advantages and disadvantages.

Early Articles in the Toronto Star

The Toronto Star has early reaction to the May 15th announcement by the Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reform recommending mixed member proportional representation (PDF). A referendum will be held this fall, in conjunction with the provincial election to approve or reject this suggestion witha 60% super-majority needed for change.

• A Canadian Press story gives an overview of the announcement. (May 15, 2007)
• Premier Dalton McGuinty is non-commital on the election reforms.  (May 15, 2007)
• A neutral position is echoed by Marie Bountrogianni, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister Responsible for Democratic Renewal.
• The Green Party may benefit under the new plan but their 2003 total of 126,651 votes would still have been short of the three percent threshold (135,000 votes) needed to gain one of the extra proportional representation seats had that election been held under the proposed rules. (May 16, 2007)