An Alternative Vote system does not solve the major issues of First-Past-The-Post, and can still have wildly distorted outcomes relative to vote preferences. Unless combined with multi-member districts (aka Single Transferable Vote) it’s barely/not an improvement for Canada – it’s a convenient option for the largest parties because it rarely makes a difference to the outcome and the votes all trickle back to them anyway, so they can make a change without making a change.
The only desirable outcome of electoral reform is one which introduces at least a degree of proportionality – Single Transferable Vote if you’re really itching for a ranked ballot, or Mixed-Member Proportional Representation otherwise (my preference - but either would be a great improvement).
I’ve used single transferrable vote, and it’s a genuinely fantastic system. You still get to vote in specific MPs, not just parties as a whole, and it does an excellent job of ensuring democratic outcomes. And despite fearmongering about it being “complicated” it just plain isn’t; you list your choices in order of preference. That’s it, that’s the whole system.
An Alternative Vote system does not solve the major issues of First-Past-The-Post, and can still have wildly distorted outcomes relative to vote preferences. Unless combined with multi-member districts (aka Single Transferable Vote) it’s barely/not an improvement for Canada – it’s a convenient option for the largest parties because it rarely makes a difference to the outcome and the votes all trickle back to them anyway, so they can make a change without making a change.
Here’s an article worth reading. https://www.fairvote.ca/expert-dennis-pilon-sets-the-record-straight-about-the-alternative-vote/
The only desirable outcome of electoral reform is one which introduces at least a degree of proportionality – Single Transferable Vote if you’re really itching for a ranked ballot, or Mixed-Member Proportional Representation otherwise (my preference - but either would be a great improvement).
Yes thank you for pointing that out, I should’ve mentioned single transferable vote! I’ll read up on the other items you mentioned as well :)
I’ve used single transferrable vote, and it’s a genuinely fantastic system. You still get to vote in specific MPs, not just parties as a whole, and it does an excellent job of ensuring democratic outcomes. And despite fearmongering about it being “complicated” it just plain isn’t; you list your choices in order of preference. That’s it, that’s the whole system.