DELIBERATION PHASE, Weekend 4

The Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform recommended on Sunday 24 October 2004 that British Columbians adopt a new voting system — the Single Transferable Vote process that’s often called "as easy as 1, 2, 3."

Now the decision is up to the voters of B.C., who will cast ballots on STV in a referendum in the next provincial election, on May 17, 2005.

After almost 10 months of study, research and debate, plus 50 public hearings and 1,603 written submissions from the public, Assembly members on 24 October overwhelmingly chose a made-in-B.C. proportional STV system as their recommendation to the people.

First, they voted on whether they thought the current electoral system, often known as First Past the Post, should be retained. The vote: 142 No, 11 Yes.

Then they voted on whether the STV model they have designed should be proposed to the people. The vote: 146 Yes, 7 No.

The provincial government says that if voters approve the STV model in May, it will introduce legislation so the new system can go into effect for the 2009 election.

» THE ASSEMBLY'S DECISION

» INFO RELATED TO THE ASSSEMBLY'S DECISION

» INFO ON OTHER MEETINGS

Info on other meetings in the members' Deliberation Phase:

September 11-12

September 25-26

October 16-17

November 13-14

November 27-28