Choice voting won't solve all of the problems in politics, but it will end strategic voting, reduce negative campaigning, and encourage participation.

It won't help small parties win seats unless they can run popular candidates, but it does allow more voters to express a political opinion without wasting their vote. Voters can use their first preference to send a message to the other politicians by voting for a single issue candidate or a competitor from a smaller party, while reserving their second ballot to ensure that their vote still counts. This keeps the major candidates on their toes, while ensuring that real competition can exist in every riding in an election.

Under the current system, negative campaigns are often used to scare voters to keep with the bigger parties, and as such we often see more advertisements attacking opponents than promoting parties and their values. Choice voting will ensure that candidates who can build broad community support will be the winner, and it punishes candidates that go negative. In places where their are more than two parties, such as in Ottawa, choice voting would encourage parties to work together to earn the second choice picks of each other's supporters.

A great example of how choice voting actually punishes parties that fail to work together is when it was used in British Columbia in the early 1950s. During the second world war, the BC Liberals and Conservatives had formed a coalition, which was falling apart after the election. When the parties began attacking each other, voters decided to reject both parties and helped elect a newer party named the Social Credit. With choice voting, it was the party that took the high road that ended up winning. Of course, after winning, the party removed it so they did not have to face the same competition in the future!

Choice voting will encourage participation. More quality independents can run without splitting the vote, meaning more voters will feel they have a real choice when they go to the voting booth. Young voters who support smaller parties such as the Greens can feel comfortable knowing their vote will not be wasted, and that they can still express themselves while perhaps moving to more common campaign.

In an era of low voter turnout, this may help reinvigorate voters, and convince frustrated voters to return to playing a role in our democracy.

And there is no down side, government will still be formed by representatives of the various communities and all politicians will have to cater to over half their constituents. Government does not have to be increased in size, and the best candidates will still win.

However, it will give voters more choice, and politicians more competition!