2016 Prince Edward Island electoral reform referendum

Prince Edward Island Plebiscite on Democratic Renewal, 2016
27 October – 7 November 2016 (2016-10-27 – 2016-11-07)
Voting systemInstant-runoff voting
Websiteyourchoicepei.ca
First round
Dual Member Proportional Representation
 
 21.45%
First-Past-The-Post (the current system)
 
 31.22%
First-Past-The-Post Plus Leaders
 
 7.61%
Mixed Member Proportional Representation
 
 29.04%
Preferential Voting
 
 10.64%
Final Round
Dual Member Proportional Representation
 
 0%
First-Past-The-Post (the current system)
 
 42.84%
First-Past-The-Post Plus Leaders
 
 0%
Mixed Member Proportional Representation
 
 52.42%
Preferential Voting
 
 0%
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A non-binding referendum on electoral reform[1][2] was held in the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island between 27 October – 7 November 2016. This was the second electoral reform referendum to be held in Prince Edward Island, following a vote to maintain the status quo in 2005. The referendum asked which of five voting systems residents would prefer to use in electing members to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island.[3][4][5] The referendum involved four counts under Instant-runoff voting rules and at the end, mixed member proportional representation was the majority choice with 55.03% support on the final ballot, with support of 52.42% of votes cast.[6]

However, the plebiscite result was a product of a low voter turnout.[according to whom?] Despite a variety of voting options and a long voting period, the final 36.46% turnout was very low by PEI standards.[6] The province regularly gets more than 80% turnout in provincial general elections.[7]

Although he had set no threshold of minimum turnout for the plebiscite to be considered binding, Premier Wade MacLauchlan cited the low turnout as a factor in choosing not to proceed with immediate electoral reform. A third referendum on the subject was held in 2019.

  1. ^ "Media Release: Voting locations". Is it Time for Change?. Elections Prince Edward Island. Archived from the original on 29 October 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  2. ^ "Voting begins in P.E.I. plebiscite on electoral reform". CBC News. Archived from the original on 31 October 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  3. ^ Roberts, Rob (7 July 2016). "PEI sets voting-reform plebiscite for fall". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Archived from the original on 22 September 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  4. ^ McKenna, Peter (21 September 2016). "Electoral reform in P.E.I. redux". The Guardian Charlottetown. Charlottetown, PEI. Archived from the original on 14 December 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  5. ^ Campbell, Kerry (16 April 2016). "P.E.I. electoral reform: 4 unanswered questions about the plebiscite". CBC. Archived from the original on 5 October 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  6. ^ a b Bradley, Susan (8 November 2016). "P.E.I. plebiscite results favour mixed member proportional representation". CBC News. Archived from the original on 29 November 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  7. ^ Yarr, Kevin (7 November 2016). "Voter turnout in electoral reform plebiscite remains low". CBC News. Archived from the original on 8 November 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016. Voter turnout in provincial general elections is typically above 80 per cent on P.E.I.