Are Islanders ready to cast their ballot? Your comments on the plebiscite

There are just a few weeks before Islanders begin to cast their votes in the plebiscite for electoral reform.

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The plebiscite to choose a new system to elect government or keep the current one will be held Oct. 29 to Nov. 7.

There will be five options on the ballot, which voters will be able to rank in order of their preference.

CBC asked people in downtown Charlottetown if they're ready to make the choice.

A voice for 'minority of voters'

Shannon Courtney already knows which options she'll vote for.

"I'll be voting for my first and second [choice] for proportional representation," she said.

"There is a voice out there that isn't necessarily being heard, that despite getting ten per cent of the popular vote, it may get zero seats in the legislature So it would be nice to have a voice or two representing those minority of voters."

• Dates set for P.E.I. electoral reform vote

Waste of time

Philip Mullally has also made up his mind onwhich option he'll vote for to keep things status quo with a first-past-the-post voting system.

"I think it's a complete waste of time. I think it is something that the government has dreamed up to keep them from having to deal with the real problems they have on their plate."

'Don't know too much about it'

"I know it's coming, but I really don't know too much about it," said Jerry Laird.

"I just haven't been watching the news because I took the summer off from the news, so maybe I should start watching the Compass again."

Laird said although he's not familiar with the five options, he does plan to learn more before it's time to cast his ballot.

'Important to have your voice heard'

"It's important to have your voice heard," said Anthony Waterman.

He said he's pleased the province is holding a plebiscite on electoral reform.

"If not, then there is potential that [voters are] going to keep voting for one of the typical two options, like Liberal or [Progressive] Conservative. They're going to get discouraged to vote for the other options because they feel like their voices won't be heard, and their votes will be wasted," he said.

Waterman said electoral reform is a popular topic among his friends.

"People my age generally don't care but quite a few of my friends do talk about it."

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