Tasmania seems an outlandish place, but for a good while western Canada was grouped with it.
By 1926 STV was being used to elect legislators in four countries in the world:
- Australia (Tasmania),
- the Republic of Ireland,
- Malta (then a British colony),
-- and western Canada (Alberta and Manitoba).
STV was no flash in the pan. Of those four countries, all but the Canadians still use STV.
And the Canadian STV experience itself was no short-run thing.
Alberta and Manitoba provincial elections used STV until 1955, for more than 30 years.
Alberta used STV to elect MLAs eight times.
Manitoba used STV in nine provincial elections.
Twenty Canadian cities and smaller municipalities used STV in a total of more than 150 elections.
Calgary used STV in its city elections from the WWI era to 1961 and in 1971.
Winnipeg used STV in its city elections from the WWI era to 1969.
It is time to bring STV back!
================================================ Check out my blog "list of Montopedia blogs concerning electoral reform" to find other blogs on this important subject.
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What is STV?
From a 1902 reform magazine: "Thinking it well to have in every number something by way of a brief explanation of proportional voting, I repeat in this number the following. Proportional representation means the use of a reasonable and scientific system of voting instead of the present stupid, unfair and inefficient procedure. Methods: There are several systems by which the principle of proportional representation may be given effect to. Large electoral districts, each electing several members, are a necessary feature. The "quota" plan is usually employed. It means that a quota of the votes elects one representative. To arrive at the quota, the number of valid votes cast is divided by the number of seats to be filled. For instance in a seven-member district any one-seventh of the voters could elect one representative and the other six-sevenths could not interfere with their choice. The three principal systems of proportional representation are the Free List as used in Switzerland and Belgium [party-list pro-rep], the Hare system as used in Tasmania [STV], and the Gove System as advocated in Massachusetts. The Preferential Vote [Alternative Voting/Instant Run-off Voting] -- This is used in the election of single officers such as a mayor. It is not strictly a form of pro-rep but is akin thereto, and uses part of the same voting methods. The object of preferential voting is to encourage the free nomination of candidates and to obtain always a clear majority at one balloting, no matter how many candidates are nominated." (From the Proportional Representation Review Dec. 1902, p. 77) (Hathi Trust online resource, page 81/180)
Thanks for reading,
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