Editor:

The B.C. referendum next year must include a simpler fair voting method for selecting acceptable candidates to represent us in our legislature.

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Single transferable vote, ranked preferential ballots and mixed member systems are much too complex for most people to understand or follow in real time.

One much simpler voting method is approval voting where the voter can select one or more candidates deemed acceptable on their ballot. Each selection is given equal weight, thus counting the number of votes each candidate gets is straight forward.

The candidates that get the most votes for seats available win. Ties for the last seat can be resolved by a flip of a coin.

Approval voting has been used to select the secretary general of the United Nations and board members of many professional societies.

Approval voting should increase voter participation, prevent minor-party candidates from being spoilers and reduce negative campaigning. Check it out at: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Approval_voting.

Jim Ronback