While the message of the editorial is a very positive one – do your homework, discuss the referendum with your family etc, it is misleading to say that there will be “four different voting systems on the ballot”.
According to the Elections BC website, voters will be asked two questions. The first, and most important question will ask if we should keep the current first past the post voting system (FPTP) , or move to a system of proportional representation (also called PR or ProRep). The second question will ask voters to rank three proportional systems: Dual Member Proportional (DMP), Mixed Member Proportional (MMP), and Rural-Urban Proportional (RUP). The voter can choose to answer only Question 1, and their vote will count. If they wish they can answer question 2 by checking their preferred system, ranking the three systems or leaving that part blank. The Elections BC website has good descriptions of the process, what will happen after the election, and PR options. Further information about the three proposed PR systems is also available from the Fair Vote Canada BC website.
If BC voters vote to change to proportional representation, another referendum will be held after two general elections to see if B.C. wants to keep the new voting system or go back to using First Past the Post. This follows the path of New Zealand, who have chosen to stay with PR after a trial period.
Lately I have noticed increasing rhetoric and fear mongering in some partisan referendum advertising and encourage voters to vote based on facts. Good information is available, and as mentioned in the editorial, check out Elections.bc.ca/referendum for the facts.
Linda Brown
North Saanich
