Canadian Elections What is the fairest vote- counting methodology for Canada?
Jan 03, 2016
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
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/first_past_the_post.htm
http://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au/apps/news/?sectionID=40&pageID=68
http://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/article.php?id=54
Counting Votes: STV
http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/polit/damy/BeginnningReading/PRsystems.htm
http://www.stv.ca/
http://www.fairvote.ca/en/fair-voting-systems
Counting Votes: PR
http://www.sfu.ca/~aheard/elections/reform.html
http://www.fairvote.ca/en/fair-voting-systems
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/proportional_representation.htm
http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/polit/damy/BeginnningReading/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 BallotVancouver QuadraClearly mark the ballot with one (1)
choice.
Deb MeredithConservative Party
Joyce MurrayLiberal Party
Victor ElkinsNew Democratic Party
Laura-Leah ShawGreen Party
First Past the Post BallotWinnipeg St BonifaceClearly mark the ballot with one (1)
choice.
Shelly GloverConservative Party
Raymond SimardLiberal Party
Patrice MinielyNew Democratic Party
Marc PayetteGreen Party
Counting Votes: FPTP
Counting Votes: FPTP
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)
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?