Ontario allowing municipalities to use ranked ballots in 2018

Ontario municipalities will have the option of usingranked ballots in the next municipal elections in 2018.

The preferential ballots let voters rank candidates instead ofvoting for a single person, which will give the winning candidate amuch higher percentage of the vote and a broader mandate, MunicipalAffairs Minister Ted McMeekin said Thursday.

"In the recent municipal election in a ward very close to wherewe stand today, a councillor was elected with only 17 per cent ofthe vote," McMeekin said in downtown Toronto.

"That should raise some flags, methinks."

Ranked ballots will also foster more voter engagement, McMeekinsaid.

"At a time when voter turnout is going down in many communitiesit's time to look at ideas that can reverse that trend," he said.

Proponents of the voting system believe it can make campaignsmore civil, forcing candidates to be more engaged in substantivedebate, instead of just trying to get whatever percentage of thevote that will see them win.

The provincial government noted that ranked ballots could be usedfor votes for both the mayor and councillors or only the mayor,while the rest of council is elected using the currentfirst-past-the-post system. Ranked ballots will not be used to electschool board trustees.

A statement issued by OttawaMayor Jim Watson's officesaid hebelieves residents seek out the candidate and platform best suited to them, not a preferential list of who is most and least acceptable.

"However, he looks forward to having a debate on the issue at council and appreciates the province giving the city the ability to make this decision," the statement said.

Ontario will convene a working group of municipal representativesand ranked ballot advocates to provide advice on how to bestimplement a new system, and as well is inviting public input untilJuly 27.

The government is also reviewing the Municipal Elections Act tolook at changing rules around campaign financing, third-partyadvertising, accessibility and enforcing municipal election rules.