British Columbians will soon face a major decision — stick with the current first-past-the-post electoral system, or switch to a proportional representation system that ensures parties’ share of seats corresponds to their share of the vote.
The referendum ballot will have two questions. The first will ask if voters support moving B.C. to proportional representation or want to stay with the current FPTP system.
The second question will allow voters to rank three proposed pro-rep systems. There is no requirement to answer both or rank all three systems.
Even if voters support change, the government has committed to a referendum after two elections to see if British Columbians want to stay with the new system or go back to FPTP
To cast a fully informed vote, citizens will have to know the basics of all four electoral systems. That is why I think it’s so important for voters to seek more information from elections.bc.ca/referendum.
Virginia Smith
Summerland
