Difference between First Past the Post and proportional representation system

Part three in a series of BC Electoral Reform

By Carol Gordon

This article is part of a series on British Columbia’s upcoming 2018 Referendum on Electoral Reform (See Part I- Putting a Face on Electoral Reform and Part II – A Closer Look at First-Past-The-Post). They have been designed to help voters differentiate between fact and opinion and provide internet links to learn more. Upcoming articles will include discussion on each of the proportional representation electoral system options on the referendum, Dual Member, DMP, Mixed Member, MMP, Rural-Urban, RUP, along with follow-up summary articles.

Since the first BC General Election in 1871, except for the 1952 and 1953 elections, in which the single transferable vote (see Electoral History of BC 1871-1986 pages 230 – 271) was employed, British Columbians have voted to decide who would represent them in the Legislature using the first-past-the-post electoral system.

FIRST-PAST-THE-POST ELECTORAL SYSTEM

The Elections Canada website explains: “Canada’s electoral system is referred to as a “single-member plurality” system (also commonly called a “First-Past-the-Post” system). An absolute majority (more than 50% of the votes in the electoral district) is not required for a candidate to be elected.”

The Elections BC website states: “First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) is British Columbia’s current voting system. In FPTP the province is divided into electoral districts and each district is represented by one Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). Voters mark their ballot for one candidate. The candidate with the most votes in the district wins and represents the district in the legislature. The number of seats a (political) party gets in the legislature equals the number of districts its candidates win. This system tends to elect candidates from large parties and result in single-party majority governments.”

The following appears in: How-We-Vote-2018-Electoral-Reform-Referendum-Report-and – Recommendation-of-the-Attorney-General

See Elections BC (non-partisan) Youtube 1.51 min. video, What is the First Past the Post Voting System? for a simple, clear and understandable explanation.

#1 QUESTION ON UPCOMING BRITISH COLUMBIA REFERENDUM

The first question British Columbia voters will be asked on the upcoming 2018 Referendum on Electoral Reform ballot next month is:

#1 – Which system should British Columbia use for provincial elections? (Vote for only one.)

– The current first-past-the-post voting system

– A proportional representation voting system

See Voter’s Guide 2018 Referendum on Electoral Reform

PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION VOTING SYSTEM Elections BC website

“Proportional representation is when the share of seats a political party wins in the Legislative Assembly is about the same as the party’s share of the popular vote. So, if a party receives 40% of the popular vote, they are likely to have about 40% of the seats in the legislature. There are many different voting systems that are designed to produce proportional results.

General characteristics of proportional representation voting systems:

• Results are largely proportional at the provincial level;
• Voters normally elect and are represented by more than one MLA in their electoral district or region;
• Districts are usually larger than in first-past-the-post electoral system;
• Candidates are elected in different ways depending on the specific proportional representation voting system;
• Smaller political parties are more likely to be represented in the legislature than in the first-past-the-post voting system, so the legislature is likely to have members from more political parties.
• Coalitions or agreements between parties are usually needed before a government can be formed.

For more information visit: 2018 Referendum on Electoral Reform – Voter’s Guide page 14.

PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION or FIRST-PAST-THE-POST ELECTORAL SYSTEM?

Here is a simple chart from the 2018 Referendum on Electoral Reform – Voter’s Guide comparing the basic elements of the First-Past-the-Post and Proportional Representation Voting Systems:

VOTING

The 2018 referendum is being held by mail from October 22 to November 30. As stated on the Elections BC Website: In order to vote in the referendum, eligible British Columbians must be registered to vote with Elections BC. Registered voters will receive a voting package in the mail from Elections BC between October 22 and November 2. To make sure your voter information is up to date use online system or call 1-800-661-8683.

WHAT NEXT?

“If more than half the votes support proportional representation on the first question, the proportional system with the most support on the second question will be adopted. If a proportional voting system is adopted it must be in place for provincial elections called on or after July 1, 2021. A provincial election called before this date would use First Past the Post.

If a proportional representation voting system is adopted, government has said that after the referendum:

• An all party Legislative committee will determine how some aspects of the new system will work;
• An independent electoral boundaries commission will determine the number and boundaries of the electoral districts and regions represented in the legislature.
• The total number of MLAs in the legislature will be between 87 and 95 (currently there are 87).
• No region in the province will have fewer MLAs than it does now.
• Another referendum will be held after two general elections to see if B.C. wants to keep the new voting system or go back to using First-Past the-Post.

ELECTORIAL SYSTEM GUARANTEE

“If the result of the 2018 referendum is the adoption of a proportional representation voting system, a second referendum will be held after two provincial general elections in which the proportional representation voting system is used on whether to keep that system or revert to the First-Past-the-Post voting system.” How-We-Vote-2018-Electoral-Reform-Referendum-Report-and – Recommendation-of-the-Attorney-General

Important dates – Elections BC website

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