In the upcoming territorial election in the Yukon, voters will participate in a plebiscite on electoral reform. The proposed change involves ranking candidates by preference instead of using the current first-past-the-post system. Despite the non-binding nature of the plebiscite results, the “Yes” side faces significant challenges based on past experiences in Canada.
Historically, no Canadian province has altered its voting system following a referendum, despite several attempts. Notably, the 2005 British Columbia referendum on electoral reform fell just short of the required 60% threshold, with 57% in favor of change. Similarly, Prince Edward Island has made unsuccessful attempts at electoral reform, with the closest margin in 2019 when 48% voted “Yes.”
In the case of P.E.I., the proposed mixed member proportional representation system may have influenced the outcome. This system involves separate ballots for local and province-wide representatives based on party share of the popular vote. While widely used globally, this system has not been implemented in Canada due to complexities in result calculations.
The Yukon is considering a ranked vote system, commonly used in party leadership elections in Canada and Alaska. This system aims to reduce strategic voting and better reflect voter preferences. Advocates for proportional representation in the Yukon, like Fair Vote Yukon, have expressed dissatisfaction with the limited options in the upcoming plebiscite but acknowledge the importance of the electoral reform discussion.
The plebiscite on electoral reform in the Yukon signifies an opportunity for residents to engage in the democratic process, despite ongoing debates and challenges surrounding the proposed changes.