Tabulating (Counting Votes)
First Past the Post ( Counting Seats) vs
Proportional Representation (Counting
Popular Vote)
First Past the Post (Seats)
• Each riding or constituency is it’s own competition
• Party that wins most constituencies wins the election
Proportional Representation (Popular Vote)
• Share of votes is share of seats
• MP is chosen from party lists and assigned to a riding
or constituency
Popular vote vs seats – 2019 Federal
Election
2020 BC Election
• Popular Vote • Seats (% of Seats)
(PR) (FPTP)
• NDP – 47.7% • NDP – 57 (66%)
• Libs – 33.8% • Libs – 28 (32%)
• Green 15.1% • Green – 2 (2%)
Look at these two seats:
● Peace River South
● Vancouver Hastings
What do you notice about the margin of victory?
What would this mean for someone voting for a smaller party
under FPTP?
Advantages of FPTP and PR
FPTP
▪ Tends to lead to majority government which gives
stability (Is this changing – only 3/8 in 21st century)
▪ Government can pass laws easily so can enact their
platforms
▪ Clear connection between people and MP
PR
▪ More accurately reflects popular vote
▪ Ensures all votes and voters are equally important
▪ Encourages collaboration between parties
Disadvantages of FPTP and PR
FPTP
▪ Majority of power without majority of votes
▪ Focus on swing seat and swing voters
▪ Discounts votes in safe seats
PR
▪ More likely to get minority government and instability
(Coalition) - Ave in Canada = 18 - 24 months
▪ Lose local connection – cannot vote for individual
candidate
▪ Give balance of power to smaller parties
Which countries use a form of PR?
Time for a change?
Federal
• Electoral Reform in Liberal Federal Manifesto 2015
• Rejected when got into power – not enough
widespread support
• Letter from North Van MP Jonathan Wilkinson
Provincial
• 3 Different BC referendums (vote on one issue)
• 2005 – 42% FPTP, 58% PR (needed 60% to change)
• 2009 – 61% FPTP, 39% STV (form of PR)
• 2017 – Supported by BC NDP and BC Greens
• 2018 – 61.3 FPTP, 38.7% PR
BC Referendum 2018
• November 2018
• 2 questions: want to change?
• If so, which system (ranked)
• 4 options:
• FPTP
• Dual Member Proportional
• Mixed Member Proportional
• Rural-Urban Proportional
FPTP vs PR
Can I do this as structured academic controversy
(CIVIX constructive discussion package)?
Can I find a couple of readings so they can look
at arguments themselves rather than me giving
it to them?
