In Hamilton, it will be first-past-the-post again for the 2022 municipal election.
City councillors, in an 8-7 vote, have decided not to have staff study and report back on the option of ranked balloting in the next municipal election.
Under the ranked balloting system, which was adopted for the first time in London, Ont. last fall, voters order their preferences and votes are counted and choices are eliminated one by one, until a candidate receives a majority and is declared the winner.
WATCH: Kingston city council votes in favour of referendum question for ranked ballot voting (Feb. 2018)
Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger supported taking a closer look and the possibility that it could result in more citizens getting “engaged” in the process.
Councillors also heard from a number of residents who spoke in support of ranked balloting on Tuesday morning.
Nicholas Tsergas believes it is a “best antidote” against “toxic election campaigns,” while Fiona Parascandalo thinks it would encourage people to start voting for who they want to win, “instead of against who they want to lose.”
Ward 6 Coun. Tom Jackson was among those who voted against studying the change.
He argues that the first-past-the-post system is cheaper, easier to understand and produces quicker results.
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