Dear editor,
I hear young people being very discouraged with our elections and saying they don’t vote because it doesn’t make any difference, and the statistics seem to support that view.
Well, proportional representation (PR) solves this and at least two other problems.
First, around the world we find that the percentage of voters goes up in the range of 80 per cent when using a proportional representation voting system rather than B.C.’s usual voting percentage, which hovers near 60 per cent.
Second, by changing from our first-past-the-post system to proportional representation, most votes will count.
Third, more people vote when they know that their vote helps elect someone they support. In total, if B.C. modernizes its electoral system by voting yes in support of proportional representation, this will give B.C. a fairer voting system with much fairer result.
If you are curious to find out more about proportional representation, go to the Fair Vote BC website for statistics, and to learn how electoral reform has succeeded in other countries.
This is way too important to put off another day. Once you see the advantages of proportional representation, you will want to tell all your friends and family in time to vote knowledgeably.
Voting in the referendum this fall will be a rare opportunity to switch to a truly fair electoral system which will beget a more honest and stable government.
To learn even more, make sure you attend Fair Vote Comox Valley’s launch event on March 14 at 7 p.m. at NIC’s Stan Hagen Theatre. Free tickets must be ordered at Eventbrite. The event is expected to sell out.
Denise Alcott
Courtenay