City council now has seven hours, and not a minute more, to debate an unprecedented electoral reform that would change how London elects its municipal politicians.

Though a council committee was divided after a weekend discussion on the introduction of ranked-ballot elections, some quietly believe a council majority will vote to make London the first Canadian city to use them, in the 2018 civic election.

But the clock is ticking: Council will debate the matter May 1, starting at 5 p.m. and — per a deadline under election law — must decide by midnight to make the change.

And if they do, what does it mean for voters? Several things.

It will change their ballots, allowing them the option to rank several candidates in order of preference. It could curb negative campaigning. It may lessen the incumbent advantage. And it will mean council ignored the concerns of city hall’s election officials.

“We are not opposed to a ranked-ballot process,” said city clerk Cathy Saunders, who will oversee the election and recommends not making the change for 2018. “Our concern is, will the (vote-tabulating) technology be ready and fully tested (so) that we’re comfortable moving forward?”

Council’s corporate services committee met for nearly four hours Saturday, a public-input session that drew roughly 40 Londoners. Those who spoke were overwhelmingly in favour of the change.

But the six politicians on the committee were divided.

Mayor Matt Brown, Coun. Harold Usher and deputy mayor Paul Hubert voted against introducing ranked ballots for the next election; councillors Tanya Park, Jesse Helmer and Josh Morgan were in favour.

That means the matter now goes to full council next Monday, May 1, with a deadline looming late that night.

“It is very similar to the current (first-past-the-post) system,” Morgan said, adding he knows there could be some challenges inside city hall on election night. “It’s not going to be complicated for the public.”

Hubert has been most vocal with concerns.

“I’m not afraid of change by any stretch of the imagination,” he said. “My No. 1 concern . . . is the integrity of the election.”

There is optimism from ranked-ballot boosters. Park, Helmer and Morgan are in support. Coun. Michael van Holst said he’s in favour and Coun. Maureen Cassidy said she is “leaning” toward it.

Usher, though opposed Saturday, left the door open to changing his mind. If those fall in favour, that’s already six yes votes — meaning just two more from the remaining nine politicians will approve it.

City staff say the budget for the 2018 civic election is $1.9 million. The introduction of ranked ballots will add an estimated $150,000.

pmaloney@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/PatatLFPress

--- --- ---

THEY SAID IT

A sampling of comments from Saturday’s public meeting that drew about 40 people:

BILL BROCK: “It opens the door to more abuse by special-interest groups or others to take advantage (of the election system).”

SAMEER VASTA: “Electoral reform, although contentious, is a clear path toward diverse representation (in office). We encourage London to capitalize on (its) culture of experimentation (with) electoral reform.”

AMBER CANTELL: “It’s important that whatever level you’re voting at, that every (voter) has that vote mean something. With something like ranked ballots everyone’s vote gets considered to some extent.”

ELIZABETH PELOZA: (To ranked ballot critics): “Please don’t insult people by assuming we can’t count to three. Consider . . . letting London be a leader in this.”

VICKI VAN LINDEN: “Some of us older folks are eager for change. I believe ranked ballots would have been a disaster at the federal level but it would certainly work for municipalities.”

ANNE-MARIE SANCHEZ: “Women and (minority) candidates are more likely to enter and stay in the race. (The) campaign style is more positive and less adversarial with ranked ballots.”

WALTER ROGERS: “As a father of three daughters and proud grandfather of three granddaughters, I fully support any opportunity to bring more diversity or gender into the election process.”

--- --- ---

LONDON AND RANKED BALLOTS

Council will decide May 1 whether to introduce ranked ballots in the 2018 civic election. Here’s a quick primer:

To win, a candidate must get more than 50 per cent of the votes cast.

Voters can rank candidates on the ballot in order of preference (1st, 2nd, 3rd).

First-choice votes are counted. If no candidate gets more than 50 per cent, candidate with fewest votes is eliminated and his/her votes redistributed to the remaining candidates on the ballot, according to the next highest choice on that ballot.

Process repeats until one candidate passes the 50 per cent threshold and wins.