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The Puzzling Question
Phillip Hong
28 September, 2007
Election and Referendum Day is on 10th October, but do you know about the Referendum itself? It's alright if you haven't a decision; many in the province haven't made up their minds yet.
A couple of years, back, a group of citizens representing the social fabric of Ontario were recruited, and the resultant Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform proposed a Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) system, replacing the First Past the Post system we currently have.
So, what is "Mixed Member Proportional"? Or "First Past the Post"?
FIrst Past the Post: The Horse Race
For those of you who are used to watching horse racing at the track, or in one of the many gambling parlours located in parts of Toronto, the system is pretty simple to understand.
People are given one ballot, and are asked to vote for one candidate. Whichever party gets the most elected candidates are then asked to form the government.
It's the system that has elected members to Queen's Park since Confederation, and it has pretty much served people well over the years. However, the problem with First Past the Post has to do with representation. Since this is a "winner takes all" format, only those who have elected the winning candidate really would be represented in the provincial legislature.
First Past the Post jurisdictions tend to form more majority governments than other voting systems, which for supporters mean stability. However, the concentration of power is much more higher. You need fewer votes to elect a majority government.
Mixed Member Proportional: Bringing Inclusion
This is the system that the Citizens' Assembly proposed. MMP is touted to bring more inclusion into the legislature.
Instead of one vote, electors are asked to mark a local candidate and a list candidate. Political parties would be asked to draw up lists of party members who would technically represent the whole province.
With this system, you can vote for a candidate for one party, but vote for another through your provincewide "party vote". Local members are elected the same way as in First Past the Post, but for parties who pass a certain threshold, members may be elected based on their list vote.
The list members form the balance of the party vote if they didn't elect enough members in a local level.
Unfortunately, the system neglects independent candidates. Independent candidate could only be elected on a local level. Opponents also tout the instability that may be caused, because votes under a system like this would more likely form minority governments.
However, this may work out to one's advantage. Minority governments may be more inclusive, with more co-operation between political parties to form a consensus on certain issues.
There are other pros and cons about both system not discussed here. Whichever system you choose, it's best to be educated about your options. Referendums don't happen often at all.
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