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Submission OUELLETTE-0408 (Online)

Submission By William Ouellette
AddressCourtenay, BC, Canada
Organization
Date20040515
CategoryElectoral system change
Abstract
I propose that we adopt an electoral process which only elects candidates who receive a majority of the vote for their riding.  I believe the preferential ballot is the easiest and most convenient way of doing this [the alternative vote, AV]. [1 page]

Submission Content
Vox Populi, Vox Dei

Vox Populi, Vox Dei, the Romans said the voice of the people is the voice of God and that is the principle of true democracy.  We are disaffected with an election process that delivers government to parties that garner a minority of the popular vote.  I propose that we adopt an electoral process which only elects candidates who receive a majority of the vote for their riding.

I believe the preferential ballot is the easiest and most convenient way of doing this [the alternative vote, AV].

On each ballot the candidates are ranked by the elector. The candidate who receives 50% plus one first place votes in a riding is elected. If no candidate receives a plurality then second choice votes are tallied. The process continues until someone receives a clear majority. In practice, whether two or twenty candidates are running, there will come a point where the preferences give a clear mandate.

The system is amenable to manual counting as is now done; or electronic sorting. It is faster than the preferential system where run-offs are held among the highest ranking of the preferences. It removes the taint of party politics in proportional representation. Above all, the candidate elected can be said to be the choice of the majority above the other candidates.

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