Who are we?
We are a non-partisan group of Ottawa residents who believe that Ranked Choice Voting will bring about friendlier elections, better ideas, and increased diversity on Ottawa City Council.
What is the Ranked Choice Voting Initiative and how does it work?
Ranked Choice Voting allows voters to rank their candidates instead of voting for just one candidate. By making a small and simple change that requires no amendments to the current ward boundaries or structures of the City of Ottawa, this way of voting would promote more fair and friendly elections.
Click here to learn more about what Ranked Choice Voting is and how it works!
Won’t this confuse voters? Isn’t this system more complicated?
Not at all! It really is as easy as 1-2-3! Ranked Choice Voting is simple and is already used all around the world, and even within our own political parties. Ottawans are just as capable of adapting to the Ranked Choice Voting as other major cities around the world! To see who else uses ranked ballots click here.
What are the benefits of Ranked Choice Voting?
The short answer is that Ranked Choice Voting is fairer, it eliminates vote-spliting and strategic voting, and it encourages fairer and friendlier elections.
For more information about why Ranked Choice Voting is right for Ottawa, click here.
What if I don’t know or want to rank all the candidates?
No problem. Voters may choose to rank all or some of the candidates if they wish. Voters can even vote for just one candidate if they want, and their vote would still be included in the election count. However, ranking candidates gives voters more say in the outcome of the election. Even if your prefered candidate is eliminated from the race, your ranked ballot can still have an impact on the election.
Why is our current municipal electoral system broken?
Right now, voters choose only one candidate on their ballot for each position (Mayor, Councillor & School Trustee). On election day, the votes are added up and whoever has the most votes is the winner. Where there are more than two candidates, this ‘First Past the Post’ (FPTP) system allows candidates to win an election without a majority of their constituents supporting them. Our current system also encourages negative campaigning, strategic voting, and vote splitting. Ranked Choice Voting would change this - to see why Ranked Choice Voting is better, click here.
Does Ranked Choice Voting give an advantage to one type of candidate over another?
Since our current voting system encourages vote splitting, multiple candidates who appeal to a larger audience with similar platforms are at a disadvantage in elections. Under a Ranked Choice Voting system, candidates who have broader public appeal have an advantage over those who don’t.
Why is Ranked Choice the best choice for the City of Ottawa?
While there are many ways citizens can choose their representatives on election day, the Ranked Choice Voting initiative is proposing a small and simple change that creates fairer and friendlier elections in Ottawa.
Ranked Choice does not replace our “winner take all” system. Because the City of Ottawa does not have political parties or multi-member wards, a proportional model of voting would not work for the city. The financial cost of running a campaign that adopts political parties or large multi-member wards could become an obstacle, reducing choice and diversity.
What can I do to help Ottawa123?
We can fix our system, but only with your support. The Ranked Choice Voting Initiative is an independent, community-driven initiative. We don't have big budgets for advertising, so we are relying on you to spread the word! Please subscribe to our newsletter (left side of page), join our Facebook page, follow our tweets, donate, and tell your friends about the project! Thank you!
Getting involved is as easy as 1-2-3!
- Make your voice heard
- Join us
- Support us