Grassroots Voter Strategy for Progressives
I would like to join the Broad Coalition in urging British Columbians to
reject the BC Liberals on May 17th. It is
essential that voters think hard about voting without compromising their
values. It is equally important that voters consider voting strategically. So
the work of the Broad Coalition, generating grassroots discussion and getting
progressive voters to cooperate, is an important initiative."
Noam Chomsky, April 2005
Our efforts focus on cooperation of progressive voters by strategic voting and vote pairing in designated constituencies. We are calling this strategy Grassroots Voter Strategy for Progressives. This new strategy doesn't depend on the parties "cooperating" or candidates withdrawing. It depends on strategic voting and vote pairing.
We also support a Yes vote on the STV referendum. For both short-term and and long-term success in electing progressive members to the Legislature we must resort to strategic voting this election and ensure that we have Proportional Representation in future elections.
Strategic Voting
The Broad Coalition is calling for all progressive voters to vote for the progressive candidate in each riding that is most likely to win in that riding. The Broad Coalition suggests supporting the Green candidate in Powell River-Sunshine Coast and Saanich North and the Islands and the NDP candidates in the other constituencies. We have identified 11 ridings, so far, where the combined NDP and Green vote (Word 49kb) has the potential to elect a progressive candidate. Greens and NDP supporters can register to pair votes in these ridings. As the campaign unfolds and we gather more information we will make more endorsements and add new ridings to the Vote Pairing Registry.
The Broad Coalition offers online vote pairing for NDP Party supporters in Powell River-Sunshine Coast and Saanich North and the Islands; and Green Party supporters in Burnaby North, Cowichan-Ladysmith, Esquimalt-Metchosin, Nanaimo, Nelson-Creston, Vancouver-Burrard, Vancouver-Kensington, Victoria-Beacon Hill, and Victoria-Hillside. If you are a Green supporter in a designated NDP constituency, you can pair with an NDP supporter in a designated Green constituency and agree to trade votes. Vote pairing is a way to vote your conscience AND make your vote count.
For some interesting background about the history and potential of vote-pairing, read the Special Report from New Scientist Print Edition - Voters empowered by internet swap shop (Word 29k).
One-Time Strategy
This is a one-time, grassroots strategy designed to help elect a progressive candidate in constituencies where NDP and Green votes together could outnumber Liberal votes.
Positive Campaigning
There is no need for any candidate to withdraw. Each candidate will be free to focus on the positive aspects of their personal or party platform.
Honesty is the Best Policy
This grassroots strategy assumes that the people hold themselves to a high standard of honesty. Let's model the behaviour we wish in our elected representatives. Honest government begins with us.
Vote for Proportional Representation (STV)
The citizens of BC have an amazing one-time referendum opportunity to choose to reform our electoral system. In our current voting system, exercising your democratic choice often wastes your vote and your political view is not represented in government. With a system of Proportional Representation ALL votes will count. More progressive candidates will be elected and more diverse parties will have a place in Legislature. Strategic voting, so important now, will not be needed; each person will be free to vote FOR the people and/or the policies they support.
