Via Scott Tribe (who got it from Mark Grennan) comes a link to an Environics poll on the electoral reform referendum. This points out two very large challenges for the pro-MMP crowd.
The first is the current level of support:
Adopt New System: 36%
Keep Old System: 32%
No Opinion: 32%
The No Opinion crowd is made up of a lot people in the have no idea there is a referendum crowd (51%). Sure, a lot of these people don't vote anyways thus bringing up the "Adopt New System" vote but there just isn't a ground swell of support for this measure (in the first New Zealand referendum there 84.5% support for dumping first-past-the-post - that's a ground swell - Ontario, not so much). Don't get me wrong, there is a definate the more you know the more you like effect.
...However those who are familiar with the proposal in the poll are much more favourable to it - 55 percent of these voters say that Ontario should make the change, while 34 percent of those familiar say it should not change and only 10 percent have no opinion.
But apathy coupled with a 60% threshold means some tough slogging ahead for pro-MMP camp.
Comments (4)
That’s why we have to keep working hard. :)
Posted by Greg | August 9, 2007 12:56 PM
Posted on August 9, 2007 12:56
Is 60% the support level required for MMP to bring forth the changes? This is the first I have heard of it…
Posted by Matt | August 9, 2007 1:35 PM
Posted on August 9, 2007 13:35
Yes, the MMP side has to get 60% support for it to be adopted.
Posted by Greg Staples | August 9, 2007 4:07 PM
Posted on August 9, 2007 16:07
Is there a minimum voter turnout for it to be adopted.
I’d hate to see MMP adopted if only 60% of 40% of eligible voters say yes to it.
Posted by Cool Blue | August 9, 2007 7:29 PM
Posted on August 9, 2007 19:29