In the past 12 months, British Columbia experienced two extremely close democratic processes.

In the provincial ballot of 2024, the two main contending parties were separated by less than two per cent of all cast ballots. In the 2025 Canadian federal election, the difference between the top two parties was less than one per cent.

When thinking about what to ask British Columbians about electoral reform, the first-past-the-post system (FPP) immediately comes to mind. We could assume that large proportions of residents would disparage this method, especially if they saw their party or candidate defeated.

This is simply not the case. Almost two-thirds of British Columbians (65 per cent) told us they are satisfied with FPP, while 21 per cent are dissatisfied and 13 per cent are not sure.

Our survey also tested three possible systems for elections to the legislative assembly, and not one was backed by a majority of British Columbians. Support is highest—at 47 per cent—for the adoption of party-list proportional representation, where parties would make lists of candidates to be elected, and seats get allocated to each party in accordance with the number of total votes the party receives.

Appetite is slightly lower—at 43 per cent—for electing all members of the legislative assembly through single........

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