The Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform was created by the government of British Columbia, Canada to investigate changes to the provincial electoral system. On October 25, 2004, the citizens' assembly proposed replacing the province's existing first past the post (FPTP) system with BC-STV, a single transferable vote (STV) system. This recommendation was put to the electorate in a referendum in 2005 held during that year's provincial election. The provincial government required the referendum to achieve a super-majority of 60 percent of voters and simple majorities in 60 percent of the 79 districts in order to pass. The second of these thresholds was easily met, with a majority supporting the reform in 77 out of 79 electoral districts, but the overall vote fell short of the 60 percent requirement, with 57.69 percent of the votes in favour.[1] A second referendum in 2009 on adopting the STV system also failed to pass carrying 8 electoral districts and 39.09 percent of the overall vote.[2][3]
The assembly has been credited with inspiring experiments in Canada (including Ontario), Ireland and Australia among others.[4]
- ^ Electoral History of British Columbia, Supplement 2002—2013 (PDF). Victoria, British Columbia: Elections BC and the Legislative Library of British Columbia. 2014. pp. 129–130. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
- ^ Electoral History of British Columbia, Supplement 2002—2013 (PDF). Victoria, British Columbia: Elections BC and the Legislative Library of British Columbia. 2014. pp. 129–130. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
- ^ "STV referendum part of election". Archived from the original on July 5, 2009. Retrieved April 23, 2009.
- ^ "Episode 8: MASS LBP's approach with Peter MacLeod". Facilitating Public Deliberations (Podcast). newDemocracy Foundation. February 26, 2020. 2:57–6:42. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
© MMXXIII Rich X Search. We shall prevail. All rights reserved. Rich X Search