[fvc-wat-disc] Luisa D'Amato column on Ranked Ballots in Cambridge

[Catherine Campbell]

The middle of the summer is a time when newspapers get fewer letters to the editor. I encourage our members to try their hand at getting their electoral reform opinions in print. Regards, Cathe Campbell 

> On Aug 2, 2018, at 12:15 PM, Bob Jonkman <bjonkman at sobac.com> wrote:
> 
> Another good column in The Record by Luisa D'Amato on ranked ballots in
> Cambridge:
> 
> https://www.therecord.com/opinion-story/8796059-d-amato-ranked-ballot-on-voting-day-is-no-brainer-/
> 
> == D'AMATO: Ranked ballot on voting day is ‘no-brainer’ ==
> 
> === Reform could open up municipal election ===
> 
>> Voters in Cambridge will be asked this fall if they'd like a ranked ballot in the 2022 municipal election.
>> 
>> This is a huge opportunity that shouldn't be wasted.
>> 
>> It may seem like a dull and complicated bureaucratic decision, but it's actually one of the few tools we have that will blow through the thick wall of incumbent advantage.
> 
> [...]
> 
>> "It's such a no-brainer," says Matthew Piggott of Kitchener, an advocate of electoral reform.
>> 
>> It puts the candidates on a more level playing field, and encourages newcomers to enter the race.
>> 
>> Even if they aren't well known, they can ask voters to consider them as their second choice, which could give them a powerful advantage.
>> 
>> Piggott said legislation from the Ontario government in 2016 made it possible for municipal elections in Ontario to use ranked ballots. Only two cities, Cambridge and Kingston, are putting the question to voters.
>> 
>> Only London decided to introduce a ranked ballot in 2018 without holding a referendum.
>> 
>> Piggott thinks that's partly because that city got a rare fresh start in 2014. In that municipal election, 11 new councillors were elected out of 14 total seats. Most of the rookies were under 40.
>> 
>> He sees electoral reform as a key issue for younger Canadians, who want a system that's more open to newcomers and reflects the voters' opinions more fully.
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Bob Jonkman <bjonkman at sobac.com>          Phone: +1-519-635-9413
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