Statement on electoral reform referendum results
Today Elections BC released the results of the referendum on proportional representation. The referendum failed with 61.3% (845,235) supporting the current First Past the Post (FPTP) voting system and 38.7% (533,518) supporting a form of proportional representation. Below is the press release my office issued in response to the news.
Media Release
Weaver statement on electoral reform referendum results
For immediate release
December 20, 2018
VICTORIA, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, released the following statement regarding the results of B.C.’s referendum on electoral reform. Elections B.C. announced today that British Columbians voted to retain the current First Past the Post system.
“We campaigned on proportional representation because representative democracy is one of the 6 core principles of the B.C. Green Party,” said Weaver.
“While we are disappointed with this result, we respect British Columbians’ decision to retain the current First Past the Post system.
“I thank Elections BC for their work administering this referendum. They provided British Columbians with clear, impartial information and accessible opportunities to vote.
“Over the course of the referendum, I had the opportunity to speak with countless British Columbians about their democracy. I was inspired to meet so many citizens who care deeply about modernizing our system of governance so it better reflects the will of the people. I thank everyone who volunteered, voted and worked on the campaign.
“The B.C. Greens remain committed to the principle of representative democracy. As part of this file we have already banned big money and reformed the lobbying industry. We will continue to champion policies that will strengthen B.C’s democracy and make it more responsive to and representative of the people of B.C.”
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Media contact
Jillian Oliver, Press Secretary
+1 250-882-6187 | jillian.oliver@leg.bc.ca
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3 Comments
I agree with the comment from Ian above, although I hear New Zealanders were able to understand a very similar ballot–and voted PR. The strategy from the No side was predictable–and I wonder if more time and effort shouldn’t have been put into countering it, by showing up the BC Liberals’ self-interestedness and hypocrisy.
IMO most voted to retain the FTP system due the poor explanation(s) of the alternative … very few understood what would occur if PR was chosen and I lay that at the feet of Elections B.C.’s poor explanation … the choice we were provided was: 1) stick with what we know regardless of how poor the representation is or 2) vote in a vacuum for PR and hope like hell it works …
The voting results were predictable prior to the counting … and the BC Liberal Party went home laughing all the way …
Terribly disappointed in the result, but I feared this would be the case from the beginning. I believe the Pro-Rep concept was perceived by too many as having an ulterior agenda. I also believe that the education needed to make people understand and be comfortable was lacking. Within my own small circle of acquaintances, it was clear that a lack of understanding drove their decision to stick with the anachronistic FPTP system.