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	British Columbia electoral reform referendum, 2005 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
		A referendum was held in the Canadian province of British Columbia on May 17, 2005 to determine whether or not to adopt the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform.
		It was held in conjunction with the British Columbia general election, 2005.
		Voters were given a referendum ballot in addition to a ballot to vote for the candidates for Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia (MLA) in their constituency.
	en.wikipedia.org /wiki/British_Columbia_electoral_reform_referendum,_2005 (719 words)

	Direct democracy (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-12)
		The presence of citizen lawmaking in Rome's governance was a strong, contributing factor to the rise of Rome, and its Greco-Roman civilization, to a greatness all out of proportion to the rest of the ancient world (Cary, 1967).
		In 1890, when the provisions for Swiss national citizen lawmaking were being debated by civil society and government, the Swiss copied the idea of double majorities from the United States Congress, in which House votes were to represent the people and Senate votes were to represent the states (Kobach, 1993).
		In Canada, the use of citizens' assemblies (also known as an estates-general in the province of Quebec), involving citizen bodies chosen at random, is growing and avoids the disadvantages of older, more plebiscitary forms of direct democracy.
	hallencyclopedia.com /Direct_democracy (2702 words)

	Read about Direct democracy at WorldVillage Encyclopedia. Research Direct democracy and learn about Direct democracy ... (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-12)
		citizens' assembly model avoids many of the disadvantages of direct democracy and sets up a deliberative and consensual process quite different to initiatives and referendums.
		Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform in which members were chosen at random for each riding.
		Citizens' Initiative and Referendum (http://www.iniref.org) — I and R proposals and campaign resources for direct democracy such as citizens' initiative, referendum, and recall in the United Kingdom.
	encyclopedia.worldvillage.com /s/b/Direct_democracy (2267 words)

	Final Report \| Reports \| Citizens’ Assembly \| 5th Session \| 37th Parliament \| Committees \| Legislative Assembly ...
		Members of the Citizens’ Assembly felt that British Columbia may wish to adopt computer-aided voting and counting by the 2009 election; however, the BC-STV counting methodology is flexible enough to permit manual voting and counting; manual voting and computer-aided counting; or computer-aided voting and counting.
		The members of the Citizens’ Assembly were briefed on the general consequences of minority parliaments and understood that a consequence of adopting a more proportional electoral system would be the increased chance of minority parliaments.
		Because a positive vote on changing British Columbia's electoral system will fundamentally change the relationship between citizens and politicians, an approval threshold of 60 percent or greater of the popular vote province-wide and a simply majority in at least 48 of the province's 79 electoral districts (60 percent of the electoral districts) is required.
	www.legis.gov.bc.ca /cmt/37thparl/session-5/citizen/reports/Rpt-37-5-Final-CA.htm (6602 words)

	Instant-runoff voting - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
		The single-winner variant of STV is used in Australia for elections to the Federal House of Representatives, for the Legislative Assemblies ("lower houses") of all states and territories except Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory, which use regional multi-member constituencies.
		The British Columbia Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reform met during 2004 and selected STV as the preferred method of voting in British Columbia.
		Federal elections are conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission, who employ all the workers at all the booths, to a common standard of neutrality and efficiency.
	en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Instant-runoff_voting (3907 words)

	Elections BC
		The Citizens’ Assembly was created by the Government of British Columbia in April 2003 with the unanimous support of the B.C. Legislature.
		The Assembly was required to reach its decision and produce a report by December 15, 2004.
		To pass, the referendum must be approved by 60% of all voters, and by the majority of voters in at least 48 (60%) of the 79 electoral districts.
	www.elections.bc.ca /CAssembly/citizen.htm (328 words)

	Vote No to BC-STV
		The report of the Citizens' Assembly starts with a title that is factually incorrect and ends with wording for the referendum that biases the question.
		The Australian website, recommended by the Citizens' Assembly, says that one of the disadvantages of STV is that: "Some voters have their preferences counted more times than others, so they appear to be more valuable." That is because not all votes are re-distributed so as to have a voter's second preference counted.
		Of course, the recommendation of the Citizens' Assembly comes under different legislation, and it may have been convenient to avoid putting precise legislation forward since anyone reading the Irish law can immediately see that it is hopelessly confusing.
	www.strategicthoughts.com /record2005/voteno.html (2384 words)

	andrewcoyne.com: The Citizens' Assembly rocks (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-12)
		Granted, British Columbians were particularly receptive to an electoral reform message, having recent experience of majority governments being elected with not only fewer than half the votes cast, but fewer votes than their rivals.
		Let’s remember that the Citizens’ Assembly is made up of regular folks—they’re not a bunch of poli sci profs or anything—yet they found it comprehensible enough to choose it over all the other options they considered.
		Unfortunately, by failing to explain it properly, the Citizens’ Assembly has left the impression that it is complicated, since most people are smart enough to notice that a lot of important details are missing from the Assembly’s explanation, but they’re too lazy to do any research to find the additional information.
	andrewcoyne.com /archives/004007.php (2500 words)

	History
		The Citizens' Assembly was launched in May 2003 by the Government of British Columbia with the unanimous support of the BC Legislature.
		Citizens'' Assembly members submit a report of their recommendation on British Columbia's electoral system.
		The Assembly's recommendation of STV will once again be put directly to the voters of BC in a November, 2008 referendum.
	www.bc-stv.ca /history.htm (432 words)

	Elections BC - General Election and Referendum on Electoral Reform 2005
		The Citizens’ Assembly was created by the Government of British Columbia in April 2003 to examine the province’s electoral system.
		Elections BC administered the Referendum on Electoral Reform in conjunction with the May 17, 2005, general election in accordance with the Electoral Reform Referendum Act and Referendum Act.
		Voters were provided with two ballots — one for the candidates in their electoral district and one for the province-wide referendum on electoral reform.
	www.elections.bc.ca /elections/ge2005/referendum.htm (375 words)

	Referendum Act -- ELECTORAL REFORM REFERENDUM REGULATION
		Referendum voting to be on an electoral district basis
		2 (1) The referendum is to be conducted in conjunction with the 2005 general election, in accordance with the Referendum Act, the Electoral Reform Referendum Act and this regulation.
		3 The referendum is to be conducted in all electoral districts in British Columbia, with the voting conducted separately for each electoral district in conjunction with the election being held for the electoral district.
	www.qp.gov.bc.ca /statreg/reg/r/47_2005.htm (2235 words)

	Speech from the Throne \| 6th Session \| 37th Parliament \| Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
		A special thanks is owed to all 161 members of the Citizens' Assembly, and to their staff, researchers and administrators.
		This is British Columbians' chance to make an informed decision on how best to elect their MLAs and choose the electoral system that best represents their needs and interests.
		To a new British Columbia that is renowned as a centre of research, learning, trade, and culture.
	www.legis.gov.bc.ca /37th6th/4-8-37-6.htm (7719 words)

	Citizens assembly on electoral reform — call, fax or email your MP this week! :: Canadian Democratic Movement :: ... (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-12)
		British Columbia recently pioneered this process with the BC Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform.
		The BC Assembly, comprised of 160 randomly chosen citizens, is currently deliberating on whether to recommend a new provincial voting system.
		The NDP also supports formation of a citizens’ assembly, though were not supportive of forcing a Throne Speech amendment that would result in a vote of confidence.
	www.canadiandemocraticmovement.ca /displayarticle469.html (639 words)

	SFU News - December 02, 2004
		This was a bold and courageous move on the part of the government and legislature of British Columbia.
		Not only does the assembly report their recommendation directly to the people of B.C., members are also writing the referendum question voters will respond to in the May 17 election.
		The assembly has equal numbers of men and women; their ages range from 19 to 80; they come from all walks of life, a range of occupational backgrounds and every region of the province.
	www.sfu.ca /mediapr/print/sfu_news/regular_features/comment12020401.htm (1192 words)

	Mapleleafweb.com: Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform - British Columbia's Electoral Reform Legislation
		The legislation creating the Citizen's Assembly is an Order-in-Council, passed by the Legislature and signed by the Lieutenant Governor General.
		On April 28, 2003, the government introduced a motion to establish the Citizen's Assembly, and nominated Dr. Jack Blaney as Chair of the Assembly.
		If the Citizens' Assembly recommends a new electoral system, the government commits to holding a referendum on the new system at the next provincial election in May, 2005.
	www.mapleleafweb.com /features/electoral/citizen-assembly/bc-legislation.html (983 words)

	SFU News - Comment - March 18, 2004 (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-12)
		At a time when British Columbians are turning out in fewer numbers for their elections, the B.C. Liberal government has initiated the Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reform.
		The Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reform, however, is the one progressive reform that very few people are voicing their opposition to.
		Ian Gregson is the vice-president of CUPE 3338 and was a volunteer with the 2002 proportional representation initiative on electoral reform.
	www.sfu.ca /mediapr/sfu_news/regular_features/comment03180401.htm (1245 words)

	BC Green Party gives Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reform Two Thumbs Up : Green Party of BC (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-12)
		These changes included doubling the size of the assembly to 158 members (two chosen randomly from the voters list of each one of BC’s 79 electoral districts) and expanding the list of those ineligible to serve to include a broader spectrum of current and past politicians and political party officers.
		She also noted that there is no requirement that the assembly reach total consensus--only a simple majority--to forward an option to government for it to be voted upon by the BC electorate.
		Should the assembly recommend a change—which Carr believes is extremely likely given the public's dissatisfaction with the series of unfair election results under our current voting system—the referendum question on the May 17, 2005 ballot will require a 60 percent yes vote and the majority support of 60 percent of BC's electoral districts to pass.
	greenparty.bc.ca /news/2003/04/25.php (579 words)

	Talk of the Town: Redesigning Democracy, Single Transferable Vote and How We Elect Our MLA's - UBC.ca (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-12)
		Although there has been little substantial electoral reform at either the federal or provincial level in Canada for decades, it seems as though the time for change may have come.
		The Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform in British Columbia has recommended moving to the Single Transferable Vote and the proposal will be put to referendum in May 2005.
		The Electoral reform Society was founded in 1884 and is probably the oldest organization promoting electoral reform in England.
	www.ubc.ca /talkofthetown/2005/spring/democracy.html (1026 words)

	National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-12)
		The Assembly is an independent, representative, non-partisan group of 160 randomly-selected British Columbians.
		Members of the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform gathered at venues in Chilliwack, Maple Ridge and Langley to learn what people desired for their electoral system.
		David Truman spoke for change but said a recommendation by the Assembly that was too radical might not fly with voters at a referendum.
	www.thataway.org /news/archives/000182.html (637 words)

	babble: Ontario to have Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform
		Electoral reform through the Citizens’ Assembly process may result in changes to how MPPs are elected and how many are elected.
		In addition, if the assembly cannot reach a general consensus on the single best alternative voting system, they should be allowed to present two alternatives, with voters using a preference ballot in the referendum to choose among the alternatives and the status quo.
		Conventional wisdom is that any serious proposal for electoral reform coming from this government will be "blue-binned" by strategists nervous about McGuinty's re-election chance prospects and the implications of the new fixed election date of Oct. 4, 2007.
	www.rabble.ca /babble/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=9&t=000966 (6923 words)

	CBC British Columbia - Citizens' Assembly issues first report (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-12)
		VANCOUVER– The Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform says a lack of proportionality is one of the major problems in how B.C. governments are elected.
		However, the 160-member Assembly says it wants to hear from British Columbians on what sort of election process they would prefer.
		The assembly is costing taxpayers $5.5 million, money that Assembly chair Jack Blaney says is well worth it.
	www.cbc.ca /bc/story/bc_citizens20040322.html (327 words)

	International Joint Commission - Commissioners' Biography
		The British Columbia Legislature in May 2003 appointed Jack Blaney as Chair of the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform.
		This Assembly of 160 randomly invited British Columbians will review British Columbia's electoral system and determine whether the voting system should be changed and, if so, in what way.
		His first two degrees were from The University of British Columbia (history, geography, educational psychology) and he earned his doctorate in instructional design and program evaluation from the Graduate School of Education, University of California at Los Angeles.
	www.ijc.org /rel/about/bio_blaney_e.htm (452 words)

	BC Citizens Assembly, BC STV, DeepCove BC, BC Citizens Assembly, BC STV, Deep Cove BC, Canada
		Finally an answer from a BC Citizens' Assembly member as to why they did not listen to the public and the public's overwhelming support for a Mixed Member Proportional Electoral system instead of the Citizens' Assembly choice of an Single Transferable Vote system.
		You contend that the Assembly must be leaning in favour of STV, on the grounds that, of the nine final speakers, three favoured STV.
		As of this date (04 October 2004) the Assembly members have not reached their decision on a recommendation to the people of B.C. STV is still on the table.
	www.deepcovebc.com /bccitizensassembly.html (3078 words)

	T-Net: News (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-12)
		The Assembly, which has the task of examining the province’s electoral system, is using the web to keep the public and members informed of the process.
		The Citizens’ Assembly is an independent, non-partisan group of 158 randomly selected British Columbians, assembled to examine the electoral system in the province.
		If the Assembly decides that B.C. should have a new system, their proposal will frame a referendum question that will go directly to the voters in the provincial election of May 2005.
	www.bctechnology.com /scripts/display_news.cfm?id=16903 (385 words)

	In The News: U of C symposium on ‘democratic deficit’ (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-12)
		A number of provinces have already begun to seriously examine the issue of reforming the electoral system to ensure a greater proportionality between a party’s votes and its seats in the Legislative Assembly.
		Speaking about electoral reform in British Columbia is Dr. Kenneth Carty, Professor and former head of the Department of Political Science at the University of British Columbia, and former president of the Canadian Political Science Association.
		Massicotte is technical advisor to the Minister of Electoral Reform in Quebec.
	www.ucalgary.ca /news/jan04/democratic-deficit.html (405 words)

	Calgary Sun Columnist - Licia Corbella: No small wins in supersizing (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-12)
		Sure he has won the majority of the seats in the legislature, but his majority is a phony one and points to the need for electoral reform as much in Alberta as federally.
		Harvey Voogd, the head volunteer with Fair Vote Alberta and a walking, talking encyclopedia on electoral systems, says while these numbers are a "text-book" example of the distortions wrought by our antiquated election system he is nevertheless very encouraged by this election.
		Voogd points out that five of Canada's 10 provinces are either fully committed or are seriously looking at setting up citizens' assemblies into electoral reform, like British Columbia, which will hold a referendum on May 17 to either accept or reject the assembly's recommendations for a preferential ballot system.
	www.canoe.ca /NewsStand/Columnists/Calgary/Licia_Corbella/2004/11/24/727910.html (684 words)

	Home - Yes for BC-STV
		Across the province, British Columbians have overwhelmingly supported changing the unfair election system we currently use.
		In nearly every riding, an overwhelming number of voters have supported changing BC's electoral system to the Single Transferable Vote as recommended by the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform.
		VICTORIA, BC -- It is now evident that a clear majority of British Columbians have endorsed the good work of the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform and voted yes to BC-STV.
	www.stvforbc.com (433 words)

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