In a welcome development for those favouring democratic reform, Premier Kathleen Wynne is making change a priority. And civic elections in Ontario might never be the same.

Wynne has formally instructed her municipal affairs minister to give Ontario communities the option of using ranked ballots in future elections, starting as soon as 2018.

It’s a move that carries potential for huge change.

In Toronto, for example, it would make it almost impossible for a divisive and bullying candidate, like Rob or Doug Ford (open Doug Ford's poilcard), to win election as mayor. It would boost the chances of political newcomers to win public office and would, quite literally, give voters more choice on election day.

These are all positive developments.

Here’s how a ranked ballot would work: instead of selecting just one candidate for each elected office, voters would mark their top choice, but also their second, third and fourth preference, and so on. A winning candidate would need at least 50 per cent support.

If no one managed an immediate majority the candidate with the fewest votes would be struck off, with the second choices on his or her ballot allotted to the remaining contenders. This process of counting and elimination continues until a candidate crosses the 50 per cent mark.

The system favours people able to garner support from a wide cross-section of electors. Strong backing from a passionate minority — but from no one else — will likely result in failure. (Sorry, Ford Nation.)

The process tends to dampen mud-slinging and personal attacks, since it’s in every candidate’s interest to reach out to opponents’ supporters in hope of being a second-place choice. And electors have more ways of making their vote count.

Toronto city council has already backed use of a ranked ballot system in its elections, but any such reform needs provincial approval. And Wynne signaled this past week that necessary support is on its way.

In a “mandate letter” to Municipal Affairs Minister Ted McMeekin, she instructed him to “ensure” that municipalities have the option of using a ranked ballot by the 2018 election.

So change is coming. When it finally arrives, it will mark a significant step forward for democracy.

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