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Liberals Looks At Changing Ontario Voting System

The governing Liberals are seeking consultation from municipalities as they look to phase out the first past the post voting system

ONTARIO - Changes could be coming to the way we elect municipal leaders in Ontario. 

The governing Liberals are seeking consultation from municipalities as they look to phase out the first past the post voting system. 

Under the current system whoever gets the most votes wins. However the Province is looking at doing a ranked ballot where you select which candidates you like in order of preference. In that scenario a candidate with more total votes could beat someone who had more first place votes. 

Heart FM spoke with Woodstock Mayor Trevor Birtch who says he is open minded to the potential changes saying he welcomes any change that will make the system better.

Another thing that will be looked at is the lengthy municipal election time frame where candidates can file as early as January 1st. Birtch says they will be having consultation meetings with the Province about the potential changes starting in August. He adds he would not be surprised if the changes happen in time for the 2018 election. If that is the case, the Province would need to give municipalities adequate time to educate the public about the new voting system before they head to the polls. 

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