Province studying ranked balloting system for next municipal election

Ontario is considering giving municipalities the option of using ranked ballots in future municipal elections, the province announced Thursday.

As part of its review of the 10-year-old Municipal Elections Act, the governing Liberals are exploring how ranked ballots could be used by towns and cities in local elections scheduled for 2018. Ranked ballots allow a voter to rank candidates in order of preference instead of voting for a single candidate.

According to the province's news release, the Municipal Elections Act is reviewed following each municipal election, and in addition to considering ranked ballots, the review will also assess whether the rules about electing municipal leaders are clear and simple and whether the Act reflects how modern campaigns and elections should be run.

“To that end, the review will evaluate the current effectiveness of rules about campaign financing, third party advertising, enforcement and accessibility in municipal elections,” the release said.

Ted McMeekin, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, is quoted as saying the government wants to hear from Ontarians on what they think of the proposal.

“Municipalities should have more choices in how to run their elections, including the option of using ranked ballots to elect their mayors and councillors,” McMeekin said. “We are looking for Ontarians’ views on how well municipal elections work and how they can be improved.”

A working group made up of municipal clerks, municipal representatives and ranked ballot advocates will provide the government with advice on how to make ranked ballots work best in Ontario.

“Allowing more choice in municipal elections is part of the government's economic plan to build Ontario up,” the release said. “The four-part plan includes investing in people's talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history, creating a dynamic and innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.”

Dave Meslin, head of Unlock Democracy, a group that advocates for ranked balloting, said the move was a historic day for Ontario.

“Ranked ballots make local elections more fair, diverse, inclusive and friendly,” Meslin said in the release. “I applaud the province’s efforts to give municipalities the option of using ranked ballots."