It’s a bad idea to have a referendum

Re: “Greens demand big changes,” editorial, May 18. I think a referendum prior to adoption of a new voting system would be inaccurate, illogical and maybe illegal.

Inaccurate — It is often said that referenda will determine the will of the people. They don’t. Any researcher will tell you that to measure a group or determine its will, you need a random sample of the group of people.

A referendum does not determine what the people or voters of B.C. want, just those who show up to vote. It is essentially a self-selected sample. Maybe that’s OK. We can accept the will of those who participate, but remember that referenda turnouts are horribly low.

Illogical — Why would you ask people their opinion on something they have not learned or experienced? Teachers do not have exams before the course. A chef does not ask what you think of a new recipe before the meal.

No one really knows the ramifications of changing the voting system. And don’t ask right away after; give it a couple of years so voters can see how their representatives react. It would be interesting to see in a multi-member riding with two members from the same party whether they prioritize their party or the people they represent.

Illegal — This applies more to whether the current first-past-the-post system is in contravention of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Fair Voting B.C. is planning to take the government to court on that very point. See charterchallenge.ca. Bob MacKie Vice-president, Fair Voting B.C. Salt Spring Island