Three Reasons Why Ontario Needs a New Voting System
1. Too little choice
Many voters live in ridings dominated by one party where they cannot elect someone from the party they actually prefer.
2. Most votes elect no one
In a typical Ontario election, more than two million voters cast votes that elect no one.
3. Distorted election results and phony majorities
A party winning only 40 per cent of the votes often captures 60 per cent of the seats. Ontario is usually governed by a party the majority voted against.
Ten Reasons to Vote for Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) in the Referendum
1. More choice for voters: one ballot, two votes
With MMP, you cast a vote for your local candidate AND another vote for your preferred political party.
2. More power to voters: everyone matters
Even if you don’t elect someone in your riding, your party vote will still help elect at-large candidates. Every party will compete for your vote no matter where you live.
3. More options for voters
Voters will be able to consider the larger established parties, as usual, but also a number of smaller, newer, innovative parties.
4. Fairer results in elections
Parties will get only the seats and power they deserve – no more, no less.
5. Stronger representation
With both riding representatives and at-large representatives, voters will be able to call on more than one elected official in their region for assistance.
6. More diverse representation
Parties will learn that they attract more votes by nominating a diverse list of at-large candidates – including a good balance of women and men, and visible minorities.
7. More accountability to voters
Every voter helps elect someone, which strengthens accountability, and majority governments can only be formed by those representing the majority.
8. Better government and less concentration of power
Parties will be forced to negotiate and compromise, usually by forming coalition governments, which tempers the power of the premier and party leaders.
9. Citizens’ Assembly recommended MMP
MMP is recommended by the independent Ontario Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform, a body of 103 randomly chosen voters who studied and deliberated for eight months on the best voting system for Ontario.
10. Old guard doesn’t like it
The MMP system empowers voters and gives us more choice, fairer results and stronger representation – not what the old boys club wants, but what all Ontarians deserve.
1. Too little choice
Many voters live in ridings dominated by one party where they cannot elect someone from the party they actually prefer.
2. Most votes elect no one
In a typical Ontario election, more than two million voters cast votes that elect no one.
3. Distorted election results and phony majorities
A party winning only 40 per cent of the votes often captures 60 per cent of the seats. Ontario is usually governed by a party the majority voted against.
Ten Reasons to Vote for Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) in the Referendum
1. More choice for voters: one ballot, two votes
With MMP, you cast a vote for your local candidate AND another vote for your preferred political party.
2. More power to voters: everyone matters
Even if you don’t elect someone in your riding, your party vote will still help elect at-large candidates. Every party will compete for your vote no matter where you live.
3. More options for voters
Voters will be able to consider the larger established parties, as usual, but also a number of smaller, newer, innovative parties.
4. Fairer results in elections
Parties will get only the seats and power they deserve – no more, no less.
5. Stronger representation
With both riding representatives and at-large representatives, voters will be able to call on more than one elected official in their region for assistance.
6. More diverse representation
Parties will learn that they attract more votes by nominating a diverse list of at-large candidates – including a good balance of women and men, and visible minorities.
7. More accountability to voters
Every voter helps elect someone, which strengthens accountability, and majority governments can only be formed by those representing the majority.
8. Better government and less concentration of power
Parties will be forced to negotiate and compromise, usually by forming coalition governments, which tempers the power of the premier and party leaders.
9. Citizens’ Assembly recommended MMP
MMP is recommended by the independent Ontario Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform, a body of 103 randomly chosen voters who studied and deliberated for eight months on the best voting system for Ontario.
10. Old guard doesn’t like it
The MMP system empowers voters and gives us more choice, fairer results and stronger representation – not what the old boys club wants, but what all Ontarians deserve.
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