dunkalunk
Senior Member
This thread is to share and discuss your ideas concerning how our system of government can be improved. Here are my 2 big ones:
House of Commons Electoral Reform: Instant Runoff Voting (AKA Alternative Vote)
The same number of electoral districts would exist as in the current FPTP, but instead, MPs would be elected by a ballot where voters would order their choice of candidate by preference. In each round, the candidate earning having the least number of votes is eliminated until one candidate reaches a 50% majority.
Here is that system explained in an ad for the Alternative Vote Referendum (called that in the UK).
http://youtu.be/Jm5IBhrq_PU
This type of voting would ensure that elected MPs would more accurately reflect their constituents while maintaining the same level of local representation that exists now. Note that this type of voting is not proportional, however, it is much easier to understand by the layperson. Proportionality is addressed in the next section.
Senate Reform: Proportionally Appointed Based on Popular Vote
Based on the first choice in the election results, the caucus of each party represented in parliament or reaching a certain vote threshold would be responsible for appointing a new senate. The number of senators that each party gets to appoint is divided up proportionately by the popular vote in each province. Senators could be appointed to represent a special interest, minority group, or for their expertise in a certain field that isn't reflected in a party's makeup in the house of commons. Having the senate proportionately reflect the popular vote would lend legitimacy to the senate as an institution, and would also prevent any false majority from passing contentious legislation. A senate that is up for re-appointment every 4 or 5 years would also be more accountable to those who appointed them. Senators would not have any term limits, but would essentially be up for review after every election.
As far as I am aware, no other 2 house system like this exists currently; I'd like to be pointed to other examples to see how they work.
House of Commons Electoral Reform: Instant Runoff Voting (AKA Alternative Vote)
The same number of electoral districts would exist as in the current FPTP, but instead, MPs would be elected by a ballot where voters would order their choice of candidate by preference. In each round, the candidate earning having the least number of votes is eliminated until one candidate reaches a 50% majority.
Here is that system explained in an ad for the Alternative Vote Referendum (called that in the UK).
http://youtu.be/Jm5IBhrq_PU
This type of voting would ensure that elected MPs would more accurately reflect their constituents while maintaining the same level of local representation that exists now. Note that this type of voting is not proportional, however, it is much easier to understand by the layperson. Proportionality is addressed in the next section.
Senate Reform: Proportionally Appointed Based on Popular Vote
Based on the first choice in the election results, the caucus of each party represented in parliament or reaching a certain vote threshold would be responsible for appointing a new senate. The number of senators that each party gets to appoint is divided up proportionately by the popular vote in each province. Senators could be appointed to represent a special interest, minority group, or for their expertise in a certain field that isn't reflected in a party's makeup in the house of commons. Having the senate proportionately reflect the popular vote would lend legitimacy to the senate as an institution, and would also prevent any false majority from passing contentious legislation. A senate that is up for re-appointment every 4 or 5 years would also be more accountable to those who appointed them. Senators would not have any term limits, but would essentially be up for review after every election.
As far as I am aware, no other 2 house system like this exists currently; I'd like to be pointed to other examples to see how they work.
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