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Submission HARRIS-0197 (Scanned document)

Submission By Connie Harris
AddressSalmon Arm, BC,
Organization
Date20040416
CategoryElectoral system change
Abstract
The legislature I prefer is similar to that of Germany or NZ, mixed proportional representation [MMP]. Some seats are for districts and the rest are assigned proportionally. A 5% minimum seems to work well in European countries. [2 pages]

Submission Content
Thanks for requesting ideas from the voters regarding electoral reform in BC. Here are some of my ideas, and opinions on what I have heard via the media.

The present system of determining the representation in the legislature does not reflect “the will of the people”. This system, where the “winner” is the person receiving the most votes, not even 50% of the votes, and becomes the representative, leaves large portions of the electorate with no influence on the decisions of the government.

The change I prefer is to proportional representation, where each political party receives the number of seats in the legislature in proportion to the votes they receive. There should be a minimum percentage For any seats to be given. Most European countries set this at 5%. Israel, however, which has no electoral districts, has a much lower minimum (? 2%) and hence is influenced by minor parties in coalition governments more than reflects the “will of the people”. Finland, however, also has no electoral districts, but a 5% minimum and does have the numerous crises that Israel has.

I believe the system should have an area representative -- someone a citizen can go to for problems specific to the needs of the electoral district. It would be nice if electoral district boundaries could be changed less often.

The legislature I prefer is similar to that of Germany or New Zealand, mixed proportional representation. Some seats are for districts and the rest are assigned proportionally. The 5% minimum seems to work well in European countries. It may be necessary to increase the size of the legislature to accommodate this system.

It may take politicians one or two terms to get used to the idea of incorporating the ideas of others into their legislation, but I think that in the end we will have better Government. The idea of proportionate voting or the preferential, transferable ballot is also considered a way to improve the system. I think this a bad idea.

It has the same problem as the present system, there is one unique winner. The legislature still would not reflect the preferences of the voters. With this system, as with the present, the winner is very apt to think that people voted For his/her ideas and forget that she/he was elected because they were everyone’s second choice.

Thank you again for this opportunity.

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