A two ballot system is proposed.
Number of Seats in the Legislature: 27
Number of Local Districts: 17
On the first ballot, the representative of the local district would be determined by the First-Past-The Post system which is presently in use.
The 17 districts would be contained within the boundaries of the P.E.I. federal election districts which have approximately 22,000 electors in each riding. Four local districts with approximately 5,500 electors would be located in each of the federal election districts of Cardigan, Charlottetown and Malpeque. Five local districts would be located in the federal district of Egmont. Four of the five local districts in Egmont would have approximately 5,000 electors while the fifth district, located in the Evangeline region, would have 2,000 to 2,500 electors.
Number of Seats Determined by a Vote on Party Lists: 10
The ten List (proportional) seats would be allocated through a province-wide election using a second ballot. On the ballot electors would select the party which they most prefer. Each political party would be required to determine a list of 10 candidates (ranked 1 through 10). The second ballot results would be used to determine the popular vote obtained by each party.
The ten List (proportional) seats would be allocated on an Island-wide basis, using an electoral formula (to be determined) so as to correct for dis-proportionality in the district elections. Below is an example of the process whereby the List seats are awarded to the various parties:
If Party A is awarded two List (proportional) seats, then candidates 1 and 2 on the Party A list become representatives. If Party B is awarded seven List (proportional) seats, then candidates 1 through 7 on the Party B list become representatives. If Party C is awarded one List (proportional) seat, then candidate 1 on the Party C list becomes a representative.
Summary:
4 (Cardigan) + 4 (Charlottetown) + 4 (Malpeque) + 5 (Egmont) + 10 (List) = 27 seats
Characteristics of the List:
1. On the second ballot, voters select the party of their choice.
2. Candidates, at the discretion of the political parties, would be permitted to offer their name for election in both a district election and as a member on the party list in the province-wide election.
3. The Commission suggests that the make-up of the party list reflect the population of the province.
4. The Commission suggests that the nomination process to determine the party list be open to all party members.
5. The Commission suggests that List members be determined at a convention open to all party members.
Popular Vote Threshold For Granting of Seats to Parties:
Any party which gains 5 per cent or more of the popular vote on the second ballot would be eligible to elect party list members to the legislature.
Monitoring of the Electoral System:
The Commission proposes that the MMP electoral system be monitored and/or evaluated as experience using the system is gained. Electoral system revision could occur concurrently with the electoral boundaries review.
CONDITIONS OF THE PLEBISCITE
Plebiscite Threshold:
50% of eligible votes cast + 1 vote.
Plebiscite Question:
While the final wording has yet to be determined, the question should be as direct as the following:
Vote for one below:
* I vote for the proposed Mixed Member Proportional System
* I vote to maintain the current First-Past-The-Post System
Effect of the Plebiscite:
The Commission recognizes that, according to the Plebiscite Act, the result of a plebiscite is an expression of opinion of the voters and that government is not bound by its result. Nonetheless, the Commission suggests that, if the plebiscite result indicates that a change in the electoral system is desired by the public, government commit to the introduction of legislation to reform the electoral system as proposed.
You can see a Fact Sheet and map on the website of the Commission on Prince Edward Island's Electoral Future: http://www.electoralfuture.pe.ca/index.php