What voters claim to prefer is simple to describe – a system in which the number of seats won by each party is proportionate to its share of the popular vote – but difficult to implement. With our multi-party system, it is rare for any party to win more than 50% of the popular vote. With a system of proportional representation, no party would win a majority of the seats in most elections. The result would be coalition governments, the possibility of frequent elections, the risk that a fringe party holding the balance of power could exert excessive influence, and ongoing instability and uncertainty.
What Are the Alternatives?
Complications also arise when one considers how, specifically, to replace the current voting system. One alternative is the mixed member proportional (MMP) system, in which the bulk of the members are elected using the traditional first-past-the-post system and the remainder are chosen from party lists, allocated according to a party’s share of the popular vote. Proponents of this electoral system note that the lists could be used to ensure representatives from minority groups or other under-represented segments of society. Critics argue that having members chosen from lists weakens the link between voters, ridings, and elected representatives. An MMP system was recommended by a citizens’ assembly in Ontario but received support from only one-third of those voting in a referendum in 2007.
Another alternative is the single transferable vote (STV) system, also described as ranked balloting. Voters rank the candidates by numbering them in order of preference. The least popular candidates are eliminated and their subsequent preferences are redistributed, until one candidate has 50% of the votes, plus one. Those who favour this system point out that it encourages candidates/parties to be moderate – so that they will be attract second choice rankings. Determining the outcome of an election, however, would obviously be a lengthier process with this system, given the need to reallocate second choice votes in many ridings. This system was recommended by a citizen’s assembly in British Columbia but, here again, failed to receive sufficient support.
Should the Voters Decide?
While the Liberal Government has been promising widespread consultations about the adoption of a new electoral system, the opposition parties have been pressing for a commitment to put any such new system to a referendum. While this approach may appear to be the most democratic, a referendum works best when the issue can be reduced to a simple, easily understood question. That is not the case when it comes to outlining a new electoral system and the examples previously cited indicate that voters can be unhappy with the current electoral system and yet unwilling to endorse a new one. If the Liberals make electoral reform contingent upon approval in a referendum, the result may not allow them to fulfill their promise to have a new system in place for the next election.