Electoral Reform and Governance
A meaningful process of public deliberation and participation
Policy Goal
To increase electoral and civic participation, and reform electoral systems for improved fairness.
Pathways to Change
Enact a ban on property electors, the archaic mechanism that allows individuals who own property in the city but reside elsewhere to vote in municipal elections;
Restore the city-wide voter enumeration in order to update the voters' list during an election year; and eliminate the reliance on the provincial voters' list which is anti-democratic, especially towards newcomers, precarious renters, and unhoused people who need to relocate with more frequency than homeowners;
Work towards expanding democratic and proportional representation at City Hall in consultation with electoral reform advocates.
Resources
Note: The resources on each of our policy pages are a starting point for learning about various issues and organizations doing work in these areas. This is not a comprehensive list and VOTE Socialist is not affiliated with the organizations listed here. We hope that these resources will help you reflect on and consider community engagement with the pathways to change suggested. We organize and lead with courage not fear, with transformative vision not limits. Vote on October 15!
People demanding democratic control of their cities:
Make sure to vote on October 15: https://elections.bc.ca/docs/rpt/2017-election-report/voter-registration.html
Review the Ward versus the At-Large voting system:
https://vancouver.ca/your-government/2004-at-large-or-wards-vote.aspx
https://guelph.ca/wp-content/uploads/Ward-councillors-or-councillors-at-large.pdf