Prince Edward Islanders split on electoral reform

There is a roughly even split on P.E.I. between adults who would like to see a change in the electoral system and those who would not, according a poll released Wednesday.

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The poll, conducted by Corporate Research Associates, asked the opinion of Islanders on a plebiscite on electoral reform coming this Oct. 29 to Nov. 7.

People were asked, "A plebiscite on electoral reform will take place this fall which will ask Islanders how they would prefer to vote in provincial elections."

• P.E.I. should keep the current voting system: 46%
• P.E.I. should change the voting system: 39%
• Don't know/No answer: 14%

The difference is well within the margin of error of 5.6 percentage points on the poll. CRA talked to 301 Islanders aged 18 and older between Aug. 9 and 31. Younger voters, 16- and 17-year-olds who will be allowed to vote in the plebiscite, were not included in the poll.

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"A plurality of Islanders appear to support the status quo in terms of elections," said Corporate Research Associates CEO Don Mills.

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"The complexity of explaining various alternate voting methods only serves to confuse the issue of electoral reform."

Islanders are being given the choice of five different electoral systems in the plebiscite.

The plebiscite is part of a consultation process by the provincial government, and the results are not binding.

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