The B.C. government is gearing up for a fall referendum to allow voters to choose a system for electing their MLAs in upcoming elections.
The recommendations were contained in a report released by Attorney General Daid Eby Wednesday.
"British Columbians made their voices and their values heard, and it was important we gave them the opportunity to direct how this referendum should work," stated Eby in a press release.
Beginning July 1, a campaign will begin to inform voters about their options and between Oct.22 and Nov. 30 voters will be able to cast ballots in a mail-in vote on on whether B.C. keeps its current first past the post (FPTP) voting system or moves to a system of proportional representation (PR).
The ballot will offer two questions. Voters will be asked to choose between the current first past the post voting system and a proportional representation system. Voters then have the choice of ranking their preference for three different proportional representation systems, which are described in the report How We Vote 2019 Electoral Reform and Referendum Report.
Eby’s report stipulates important characteristics of any proportional representation system in that it must not significantly increase the size of the legislature or reduce significantly the number of MLAs in any region.
As well, parties that receive less than 5% of the overall vote in the province or region won’t be eligible for a seat.
“While the engagement marked a first step in involving the public more meaningfully in our democratic process, ultimately, British Columbians, through the referendum, will determine how we vote in B.C,” Eby further stated.
