What do we value in our electoral system?

What do we value in our electoral system?

From principles to modelsFrom principles to models

ObjectivesObjectives

to review what you told us an election should accomplishto review our eight principles that shape our thinking of electoral systems

to review what you told us an election should accomplishto review our eight principles that shape our thinking of electoral systems

How to think about electoral systems?two approaches

How to think about electoral systems?two approaches

Review families of electoral systemsExamine what we value in electoral systems

What do we want our electoral system to do?Which principles do we value most?What is best for Ontario?

Review families of electoral systemsExamine what we value in electoral systems

What do we want our electoral system to do?Which principles do we value most?What is best for Ontario?

How we reason by principlesHow we reason by principles

What do we mean by principles?choices determined by principles not vice versa

What do we mean by principles?choices determined by principles not vice versa

The principles and values of electoral systems

The principles and values of electoral systems

Legitimacy“The electoral system should have the confidence of Ontarians and reflect their values”

Legitimacy“The electoral system should have the confidence of Ontarians and reflect their values”

What you told us about legitimacyWhat you told us about legitimacy

“an equal and fair process”“transparent process”“people should be satisfied”

“an equal and fair process”“transparent process”“people should be satisfied”

To put it another way ...To put it another way ...

an electoral system must inspire confidence in its process and results

an electoral system must inspire confidence in its process and results

Those who value legitimacy might wonder...

Those who value legitimacy might wonder...

whether or not citizens are satisfied with the electoral processwhether or not citizens are satisfied with the results

whether or not citizens are satisfied with the electoral processwhether or not citizens are satisfied with the results

Are these results legitimate?Are these results legitimate?

The principles and values of electoral systems

The principles and values of electoral systems

Fairness of representation“The Legislative Assembly should reflect the population of Ontario in accordance with demographic representation, proportionality and representation by population among other factors”

Fairness of representation“The Legislative Assembly should reflect the population of Ontario in accordance with demographic representation, proportionality and representation by population among other factors”

What you told us about fairness of representation

What you told us about fairness of representation

“my vote should count”“all votes should be equal”“accurate reflection of the will of the people”

“my vote should count”“all votes should be equal”“accurate reflection of the will of the people”

To put it another way...To put it another way...

fairness of representation can be understood in terms of

whether the legislature reflects the populationwhether the seats a party wins is equal to the share of the votewhether all ridings represent about the same number of citizens

fairness of representation can be understood in terms of

whether the legislature reflects the populationwhether the seats a party wins is equal to the share of the votewhether all ridings represent about the same number of citizens

Those who value fairness of representation might wonder...

Those who value fairness of representation might wonder...

If the demographics of Ontario are reflected in the legislature

should there be more representation of women, aboriginals, linguistic minorities, youth, ethnic minorities or regions?

If the percentage of seats equals the share of votes

Does it matter if some votes don’t contribute to the election of someone?

If the demographics of Ontario are reflected in the legislature

should there be more representation of women, aboriginals, linguistic minorities, youth, ethnic minorities or regions?

If the percentage of seats equals the share of votes

Does it matter if some votes don’t contribute to the election of someone?

Those who value fairness of representation might wonder...

Those who value fairness of representation might wonder...

If or when it might be appropriate to violate principles of representation by population

to ensure that a part of the province that has less population is well heardto ensure that historically disadvantaged groups are represented in the legislature

If or when it might be appropriate to violate principles of representation by population

to ensure that a part of the province that has less population is well heardto ensure that historically disadvantaged groups are represented in the legislature

One group that has not been well represented in our legislature

One group that has not been well represented in our legislature

The principles and values of electoral systems

The principles and values of electoral systems

Voter choice“An electoral system should promote voter choice in terms of quantity an quality of options available to voters”

Voter choice“An electoral system should promote voter choice in terms of quantity an quality of options available to voters”

What you told us about voter choice

What you told us about voter choice

“a meaningful and real choice”“informed choices”“tolerance for independents and alternative candidates”

“a meaningful and real choice”“informed choices”“tolerance for independents and alternative candidates”

To put it another way ...To put it another way ...

choice can be understood in terms of quality or quantity of choiceschoice can be understood in terms of quality or quantity of choices

Those who value voter choice might wonder...

Those who value voter choice might wonder...

are there enough parties or candidates to choose from (quantity)if there is meaningful difference among available choices (quality)if the ballot allows for voters to fully express their preferences

are there enough parties or candidates to choose from (quantity)if there is meaningful difference among available choices (quality)if the ballot allows for voters to fully express their preferences

The principles and values of electoral systems

The principles and values of electoral systems

Effective parties“Political parties should be able to

structure public debate, mobilize and engage the electorate, and develop policy alternatives.”

Effective parties“Political parties should be able to

structure public debate, mobilize and engage the electorate, and develop policy alternatives.”

What you told us about effective parties

What you told us about effective parties

“parties should work well”“fair treatment of political parties”“parties should work well”“fair treatment of political parties”

To put it another way...To put it another way...

whether parties are effective, depends on what we think they should do and how they should do it

whether parties are effective, depends on what we think they should do and how they should do it

Those who value effective parties might wonder...

Those who value effective parties might wonder...

how many parties should there be in the legislature?if different electoral systems affect party behaviour

how many parties should there be in the legislature?if different electoral systems affect party behaviour

Those who value effective parties might wonder...

Those who value effective parties might wonder...

whether or not partiesrepresent the different views of Ontariansare able to structure public debatederive their support from one area

whether or not partiesrepresent the different views of Ontariansare able to structure public debatederive their support from one area

The principles and values of electoral systems

The principles and values of electoral systems

Stable and effective government“The electoral system should

contribute to continuity of government, and governments should be able to develop and implement their agendas and take decisive action when required.”

Stable and effective government“The electoral system should

contribute to continuity of government, and governments should be able to develop and implement their agendas and take decisive action when required.”

What you told us about stable and effective government

What you told us about stable and effective government

“the results should produce a stable system that works well”an electoral system should produce “good government”

“the results should produce a stable system that works well”an electoral system should produce “good government”

To put it another way...To put it another way...

electoral systems influence what form of government citizens getstability can take many forms

electoral systems influence what form of government citizens getstability can take many forms

Those who value stable and effective government might wonder...

Those who value stable and effective government might wonder...

how stable are different kinds of governments?what types of government are best able to deliver their promises?

how stable are different kinds of governments?what types of government are best able to deliver their promises?

Different kinds of government:single party majority

Different kinds of government:single party majority

GovernmentGovernmentOppositionOpposition

Different kinds of government:single party minority

Different kinds of government:single party minority

GovernmentGovernmentOppositionOpposition

Different kinds of government: coalition majority

Different kinds of government: coalition majority

GovernmentGovernmentOppositionOpposition

Different kinds of government: coalition minority

Different kinds of government: coalition minority

GovernmentGovernmentOppositionOpposition

The principles and values of electoral systems

The principles and values of electoral systems

Effective parliament“The legislative assembly should contain a government, an opposition and should be able to perform its parliamentary functions successfully.”

Effective parliament“The legislative assembly should contain a government, an opposition and should be able to perform its parliamentary functions successfully.”

What you told us about effective parliament

What you told us about effective parliament

“individuals should be effective in parliament”“individuals should be effective in parliament”

To put it another way...To put it another way...

we need to understand what “effective” means and by what standard it is measured when does a parliament become too large to be effective?

we need to understand what “effective” means and by what standard it is measured when does a parliament become too large to be effective?

Those who value effective parliament might wonder ...Those who value effective

parliament might wonder ...

what is an effective size of parliament?how politicians from different parties might work together in different electoral systemswhether or not the opposition is able to make the government responsible for its actions

what is an effective size of parliament?how politicians from different parties might work together in different electoral systemswhether or not the opposition is able to make the government responsible for its actions

The principles and values of electoral systems

The principles and values of electoral systems

Stronger voter participation“Ontario’s electoral system should promote voter participation as well as engagement with the broader democratic process”

Stronger voter participation“Ontario’s electoral system should promote voter participation as well as engagement with the broader democratic process”

What you told us about stronger voter participation

What you told us about stronger voter participation

“encourage participation without coercion”“an accessible process, high voter turnout”“promote meaningful participation”

“encourage participation without coercion”“an accessible process, high voter turnout”“promote meaningful participation”

To put it another way ...To put it another way ...

participation in elections is dependent on a number of things; the electoral system is merely one elementelectoral systems influence parties, as well as individuals

participation in elections is dependent on a number of things; the electoral system is merely one elementelectoral systems influence parties, as well as individuals

Those who value stronger voter participation might wonder...

Those who value stronger voter participation might wonder...

if citizens feel their voice is heard in the political processif citizens feel that they can make a difference in the political processif electoral systems affect how many people vote

if citizens feel their voice is heard in the political processif citizens feel that they can make a difference in the political processif electoral systems affect how many people vote

The principles and values of electoral systems

The principles and values of electoral systems

Accountability“Ontario voters should be able to identify decision-makers and hold them to account”

Accountability“Ontario voters should be able to identify decision-makers and hold them to account”

What you told us about accountability

What you told us about accountability

“responsible/accountable MPPs”“individual representative should be available”

“responsible/accountable MPPs”“individual representative should be available”

To put it another way ...To put it another way ...

do we value accountability of individual members or accountability of government or both?

do we value accountability of individual members or accountability of government or both?

Those who value accountability might wonder ...

Those who value accountability might wonder ...

about the different ways of rewarding and punishing elected representativeswhere accountability lies

with the MPP, leader or party?

about the different ways of rewarding and punishing elected representativeswhere accountability lies

with the MPP, leader or party?

Another principle you told us about...

Another principle you told us about...

an electoral system should be “simple, practical” and “understandable to the public”

an electoral system should be “simple, practical” and “understandable to the public”

Those who value simple and practical in an electoral system

might wonder....

Those who value simple and practical in an electoral system

might wonder....

what is the trade-off between this characteristic and others?what is the trade-off between this characteristic and others?

ConclusionConclusion

Electoral systems are driven by principles Our task is to think about what principles matter most

Electoral systems are driven by principles Our task is to think about what principles matter most