So. Once again, we get abysmal voter turnout (barely 1 million voters. Elections BC apparently was hoping for closer to 2 million voters. I don't know exact percentages but this is less than 50% voter turnout).
And the electoral reform measure that has been shown to increase voter turnout (STV) failed to pass.
I'm bummed. Because my voting reasoning for the past few elections has gone something like this:
Hmm. Candidate I.M. Interesting has a platform that looks like it makes sense, and has fresh ideas. I would like to see how they do if given the opportunity. But if I vote for Ms. Interesting, I will wind up in a vote-splitting situation with semi-popular Candidate Middle Of The Road. Thus risking the election of Candidate Right-wing Fanatic, or, on the opposite end of the spectrum, Candidate Well-Meaning But No Clue On Fiscal Responsibility (What, Give YOU My Tax Dollars? No Way).
With STV, I could have voted for who I really wanted AND Candidate MOR without risking accidentally electing the others. Ie, not choose between the lesser of two evils, but the candidate I feel represents me the best. Wouldn't that make me feel so much more engaged in the process?
Oh well. And we wonder why voter turnout is getting lower.