By Corey Fischer

Two Questions Proposed For Referendum

May 30, 2018 | 11:02 AM

BC’s Attorney General says he wants to make this fall’s referendum on electoral reform as simple as possible.

David Eby has made 18 recommendations to the NDP cabinet on how the vote should be structured, including having two questions:

1. Which should British Columbia use for elections to the Legislative Assembly (Vote for only one.):

The current First Past the Post voting system
A proportional representation voting system

2. If British Columbia adopts a proportional representation voting system, which of the following voting systems do you prefer? (Vote for the voting systems you wish to support by ranking them in order of preference. You may choose to support one, two or all three of the systems.):

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Dual Member Proportional
Mixed Member Proportional
Rural-Urban PR

If a majority of responses to the first question vote to adopt a proportional representation voting system, then responses to the second question would determine which system is implemented in British Columbia.

Eby outlined the new voting systems during a news conference.

“Dual member proportional would create ridings with two MLA’s, the first being elected by first-past-the post, and the second on a proportional basis. The mixed member proportional option would keep first-past-the post elected MLA’s, but add seats on a regional basis to increase the proportionality of the results. And rural-urban PR is a system that would elect MLA’s using single transferable vote in urban areas, and using mixed member proportional in rural areas,” said Eby.

While the result would be binding on government, Eby is suggesting residents get a chance to evaluate it.

“I’m recommending that there be a confirming referendum held after two general election cycles, to ensure British Columbians are comfortable with their choice, once they see it in action.”

The A-G recommends the voting period, using a mail-in ballot, should run from Oct 22nd to Nov. 30th.

Eby says people are highly engaged in the issue.

“The public engagement ran for 14 weeks, ending Feb. 28th, and drew 180,000 visits to the “How We Vote” website, with a record 91,725 questionnaires completed.”

Pictured: David Eby, Attorney General (BC government)

by Corey Fischer