Ten
reasons to vote for
Mixed Member Proportional (MMP)
October 4, 2007
Three
Reasons Why Ontario Needs a New Voting System
1. Too little choice
Many voters live in ridings dominated by one party where they cannot elect someone from the party they actually prefer.
2. Most votes elect no one
In a typical Ontario election, more than two million voters cast votes that elect no one.
3. Distorted election results and phony majorities
A party winning only 40 per cent of the votes often captures 60 per cent of the seats. Ontario is usually governed by a party the majority voted against.
Ten
Reasons to Vote for Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) in the Referendum
1. More choice for voters: one ballot, two votes
With MMP, you cast a vote for your local candidate AND another vote for your preferred political party.
2. More power to voters: everyone matters
Even if you don’t elect someone in your riding, your party vote will still help elect at-large candidates. Every party will compete for your vote no matter where you live.
3. More options for voters
Voters will be able to consider the larger established parties, as usual, but also a number of smaller, newer, innovative parties.
4. Fairer results in elections
Parties will get only the seats and power they deserve – no more, no less.
5. Stronger representation
With both riding representatives and at-large representatives, voters will be able to call on more than one elected official in their region for assistance.
6. More diverse representation
Parties will learn that they attract more votes by nominating a diverse list of at-large candidates – including a good balance of women and men, and visible minorities.
7. More accountability to voters
Every voter helps elect someone, which strengthens accountability, and majority governments can only be formed by those representing the majority.
8. Better government and less concentration of power
Parties will be forced to negotiate and compromise, usually by forming coalition governments, which tempers the power of the premier and party leaders.
9. Citizens’ Assembly recommended MMP
MMP is recommended by the independent Ontario Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform, a body of 103 randomly chosen voters who studied and deliberated for eight months on the best voting system for Ontario.
10. Old guard doesn’t like it
The MMP system empowers voters and gives us more choice, fairer results and stronger representation – not what the old boys club wants, but what all Ontarians deserve.
The Big Lie About MMP
The defenders of the status quo have been repeating a statement about MMP that is fundamentally wrong: that the new at-large seats would be filled by “appointment” rather than by election.
Set aside for a moment the obvious question: why would a Citizens’ Assembly of Ontario voters propose something so stupid? Because they didn’t.
Every legislator under MMP would be elected – put in office by attracting votes and removed from office by losing votes. Three of the party leaders have already said their parties would use a democratic process to nominate their at-large candidates (standard practice in all MMP countries). Those candidates are then elected according to how successful they and their parties are at attracting votes.
Electing candidates to fill at-large seats, as well as riding seats, gives voters stronger and better representation than we have now – which is why the Citizens’ Assembly recommends MMP.
Voting for MMP Puts You In Good Company
To see the growing list of notable MMP supporters from all points on the political spectrum, all regions and backgrounds, follow this link (http://www.voteformmp.ca/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=155&qid=60348).
source:
Larry Gordon
Campaign
Manager
Vote for MMP
http://www.voteformmp.ca/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=158&qid=60348
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