Canadian Elections What is the fairest vote-counting methodology for Canada?

Take home messages… To understand how governments are formed. To understand the different methodologies of vote counting. To assess which is the fairest means of vote counting for Canada.

Areas to Explore… Representation by Population and First Past the Post (Rep by Pop/FPTP) Single Transferable Vote (STV) Proportional Representation (PR) Who cares?

Who cares? Take 1.

Counting Votes: Rep by Pop/FPTP

Counting Votes: Rep by Pop

Counting Votes: FPTP

Counting Votes: STV

Counting Votes: PR PRsystems.htm

Counting Votes: FPTP Background: British model- has always been the Canadian way Based on a “winner take all” approach Voting: Voters clearly mark ballot with one choice Voters have one choice, one vote One round of voting, counting Representation: The candidate with the highest number of votes wins Candidates without the highest number of votes lose Majority (50% +1) not needed Single member representation (1 MP- 1 Riding) Reason for Title: Horse race mentality

Counting Votes: FPTP First past the Post Ballot Vancouver Quadra Clearly mark the ballot with one (1) choice. Deb Meredith Conservative Party Joyce Murray Liberal Party Victor Elkins New Democratic Party Laura-Leah Shaw Green Party First Past the Post Ballot Winnipeg St Boniface Clearly mark the ballot with one (1) choice. Shelly Glover Conservative Party Raymond Simard Liberal Party Patrice Miniely New Democratic Party Marc Payette Green Party

Counting Votes: FPTP

Advocates Argue: Opponents Argue:

Counting Votes: STV(PR) Background: A form of proportional representation (% vote = % seat) PR used by most of Western Europe “Main rival” to FPTP Proposed as an alternative in BC (2005/2009 referenda) Voting: Ranking of candidates Vote transfers after candidate reaches the threshold Multiple rounds of counting Representation: Threshold required (Threshold = (valid votes/1+seats) +1 vote) Multiple member districts (eg 1 district, 5 seats) Reason for Title: Actual transferring of vote… also called choice voting

Counting Votes: STV (PR)

Advocates Argue: Reduces wasted votes (no chance charlies and killer kerries) More accurate/dynamic representation of votes Votes contributing to the election of a candidate Address underrepresented constituencies Opponents Argue: Complicated Coalition governments more common** Gerry-mandering still possible Less PR than other PR Change!

Counting Votes: MMR (PR) Background: A form of proportional representation Also called two-vote system, German system Best of both worlds- ½ (FPTP) and ½ (PR) Seen as a compromise in modern electoral reform programs Voting: Double ballot- 1 vote for single-member district (person), 1 vote for party (party list) Individuals and Parties are elected One round of counting- individuals first then adjusted with party count Representation: Legislature is made of directly elected individuals and those from a party list to compensate to % of vote Thresholds sometimes established (e.g. 5%) Reason for Title: Reflects the varied ways individuals are selected into the Leg.

Counting Votes: MMR (PR)

Advocates Argue: Reduces wasted votes (no chance charlies and killer kerries) More accurate/dynamic representation of votes Votes contributing to the election of a candidate Address underrepresented constituencies Representation of both geographic districts and parties Opponents Argue: Coalition governments more common** Quite PR than other PR Change! Counting Votes: MMR (PR)

“ PR voting systems provide more accurate representation of parties, better representation for political and racial minorities, fewer wasted votes, higher levels of voter turnout, better representation of women, greater likelihood of majority rule, and little opportunity for gerrymandering” (Mtholyoke) Counting Votes: STV & MMR (PR)

Who care? Take 2.

Canadian Elections What is the fairest vote-counting methodology for Canada?