Politics only half the battle in B.C. election

Ron Seymour 2009-04-11 Kelowna Daily Courier:

The first provincial election signs now appearing on Okanagan streets have nothing to do with politicians. Instead, they encourage voters to essentially change the entire political system. On May 12, British Columbians will decide whether the province should adopt the single-transferable voting system. It would profoundly alter the electoral map and change the way politicians gain office. Supporters say STV would help ensure a legislature that more accurately reflects political reality, with parties winning seat totals that better match their share of the popular vote. However, critics say STV is a complex and little-used political system that would reduce local representation and lead to weak, ineffective governments. The government has funded both pro- and anti-STV groups with $500,000 to get their messages out between now and election day. For STV to be adopted, the proposal would have to be supported by 60 per cent of voters. In 2005, when the STV referendum question was also on the ballot, it was endorsed by 58 per cent of voters. Supporters believe it will pass the required threshold this time around.
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“STV is an obscure, bizarre system that‘s used in very, very few places,” said David Schreck of the No-BC STV campaign society. “It‘s extremely complicated, greatly reduces local representation and would basically be an experiment in how to destabilize government.”

Deborah Webb, South Okanagan organizer for the STV campaign, said the essential appeal of the system for her is precisely that it would create a greater diversity of political views in the legislature. “It would lead to more women in politics, more minorities and more varied viewpoints,” Webb said. “Government would be more consensus oriented, rather than one party just ramrodding everything through.”

The pro STV website is stv.ca. The anti-STV site is www.nostv.org