In this election, the citizens of Ontario will have the opportunity to choose between two very different futures: A continuation of the status quo or a future that is clean, green and completely sustainable.
Two Votes, One Ballot
The MMP system will be simple and sensible. You will still vote for your preferred local candidate just as you do now. In addition, you will also cast a second vote for your preferred political party. The share of these votes that each party wins will determine its overall share of seats in the legislature.
If after the 90 riding seats are filled, a party has fewer seats than its portion of the party vote, that party wins some of the additional 39 provincial (or at-large) seats to ensure it has its fair share of the total seats. These at-large representatives are elected from provincial lists of candidates nominated by each party in advance of the election. Voters can judge these at-large candidates, as well as local candidates, and vote accordingly.
Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) will give Ontario voters the best of both worlds. You get strong local representation and fair results, with parties gaining no more, and no fewer seats than they really deserve.
Here's an election example: Party X gets 30 per cent of the party votes, but when riding results are tallied, they have a share of seats that is 10 short of the 30 per cent of the seats they deserve. In that case, Party X will also gain 10 at-large seats, with their top ten at-large candidates winning those seats.
