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Submission GEORGE-0136 (Online)

Submission By Kallie George
AddressVancouver, B.C., Canada
Organization
Date20040402
CategoryElectoral system change, Minority representation
Abstract
The MMP [mixed member proportional] electoral system would be better for BC than STV [single transferable vote].  MMP would likely lead to the election of more women and this system is simpler to use and more proportional than STV. [1 page]

Submission Content
 

I have noticed that some of the other submissons advocate the STV system for B.C.  I do not think that this system would work here

I much prefer the MMP system like the one in New Zealand. Under MMP more women are elected. The two countries that use STV, Malta and Ireland, have among the lowest women elected to Parliment because of the competitive nature of the campagining process--everybody is fighting against everyone else to get the first rank, even among their fellow party candidates.  Women who often want more cooperative politics opt out of running.  This is shown by the fact that Malta and Ireland have smaller percentages of women elected than we currently have in B.C.

The MMP system is much simpler too, because, instead of having to rank 5 or 6 different people, there are just two simple votes--one for the party and one for the person who you want to represent your electoral district.

In order for the STV system to be propotional, that is have the percentage of votes for a political party translate into a similar percentage of seats, the STV system requires large electoral districts with at least 5 or 6 memebers representing that district.  Young people, like me, are often not that political and would find it difficult to know enough about 6 different candidates to be able to rank them intelligently.

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