Perth Voice Interactive

Not my preference

I AM totally opposed to the proposal for preferential voting for councils as it would fundamentally change the nature of local government elections. 

It would reflect the views of the other candidates and not the view of the electors as now with first past the post.

The October election for the City of Perth had 16 candidates with a total 16,565 votes cast for 4 councillors. 

1793 was the top vote getter, that was the clear wish of the electors, as was the votes cast for remaining 3 successful candidates.

The remaining 12 candidates polled 10,110 votes among them and preferential voting would see them (just 12 people) decide the outcome. 

A candidate with say half the votes (800) of the top vote (1793) could easily alter that by preferencing another candidate with 800 votes. 

Not exactly the wish of the electors. 

TJ Maller
East Perth