Contact UsSearch
Click for Search Instructions
Home > Get Involved

Submission HARTMAN-0076 (Online)

Submission By Gordon F Hartman
AddressNanaimo, BC,
Organization
Date20040129
CategoryDemocratic elections, Electoral system change
Abstract
BC should adopt an electoral system where some seats reflect a party's share of the vote [a mixed member proportional system, MMP]. In addition to fixed terms parliament, a term limit of 8 years should be set for MLAs. [2 pages]

Submission Content
 

SUBMISSION
 
Propositions for consideration.

(a) The number of seats held by a party must reflect, to some degree, the percentage of votes that the parties receive across the province.

Would you consider a process in which there are; e.g. 80 seats. This is about like B.C.

  • There are 40 electoral ridings
  • Regular elections determine the allocation of seats in those ridings as is done now
  • 40 other seats are filled according to the percentage of popular vote
  • Therefore, if a party won 25 seats in the regular riding process, but got 50% of the popular vote, it would be given 20 of the other 40 seats
  • This would require some system of party vote to establish a priority list from which these first 20 members would be established
I am not sure if all of this would be workable. However, I believe that the difficulty of establishing such a system is offset, easily, by the justice of some system different from the one in existence in B.C. where we have about 77 out of 79 seats with one party held on the basis about 58% of the popular vote.
 
(b)  Elections every four years This is  in place in B.C. as I understand.  Good

(c)  Total of two terms only for any member

  • This would involve the cost of funding a good safety net for ever member after 8 years
  • With this arrangement, politicians would be more inclined to say and do things for the public good rather than simply trying to beat out another candidate.
           
The Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform has a huge and complex task. I began to realize how difficult the job may be as I have struggled with my suggestions over the last few weeks.   

© 2003 Citizens' Assembly on Electoral ReformSite powered by levelCMSSite Map | Privacy Policy