Elementary PowerPoint 6: Political Parties and Local Candidates

What is an election?

Elections An election is the process for choosing our political representatives (to make decisions on our behalf) and who will lead the government. Elections are contests of leadership, ideas, politics and power, where interested groups and individuals campaign for our support and, ultimately, our vote.

What is a political party?

People develop different opinions about society and how things should be run in their community, province and/or country. Political parties bring together people with similar political views and goals.

The Role of Candidates and Parties A candidate is an individual who competes for the job of political representative. At the federal and provincial levels in B.C., most candidates are associated with a political party. It is the role of a political party to select candidates and help get them elected in order to work towards their goals.

What is an electoral district? British Columbia is divided into 87 electoral districts (or ridings), which are defined geographic areas. The size of an electoral district is determined by population size and geographical features (roads, landmarks, etc.). Urban electoral districts are small and densely populated, while rural electoral districts are large and sparse.

An electoral system is the way in which voters express their preferences and the process for determining which candidates get to become representatives. Different electoral systems exist around the world.

What is our electoral system? British Columbia uses a system called First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) or Single-Member Plurality – where one member is elected for each electoral district. The rules: Voters can only choose one candidate on their ballot The candidate that receives the most votes wins

How do political parties work? Political parties are made up of interested ‘members’ of the general public. Anyone above the required age (usually 14 years old) can join the party and become a member. Party members choose their party’s leader and candidates, and help them get elected. During elections, parties release a platform which is a series of policy ideas, strategies or solutions for specific issues.

There are 28 registered political parties in B.C.: BC Action Party BC Conservative Party BC Green Party BC NDP BC Refederation Party British Columbia Libertarian Party Christian Heritage Party of British Columbia Land Air Water Party The Vancouver Island Party Your Political Party of BC BC Cascadia Party BC Excalibur Party BC Liberals BC New Republican Party BC Social Credit Party British Columbia Party Communist Party of BC People's Front Unparty: The Consensus–Building Party BC Citizens First Party BC First Party BC Marijuana Party BC Progressive Party BC Vision British Columbia Peoples Party Cultural Action Party The Platinum Party of Employers Who Think and Act to Increase Awareness Work Less Party

Why are political parties important Why are political parties important? Would you ever join a political party?

Some candidates choose to run as an independent and they are not affiliated with any party. What do you think are the strengths and challenges of being an independent candidate or being a candidate associated with a political party?

If you were a candidate, how would you share your platform and ideas If you were a candidate, how would you share your platform and ideas? How would you try to gain the support of voters?

Candidates and parties use a communications strategy that incorporates all three types of media (paid, earned, owned) to share their platforms through announcements, advertising and events, and to gain support from voters.

How does a party form government? The party that elects the most number of representatives usually forms government. At the provincial level, the leader of the party that forms government becomes the premier. After the 2013 provincial election, the BC Liberals formed government because they had won 49 out of 85 legislative seats.

2013 Provincial Election Results Political Party Candidates Elected % of the Vote British Columbia Liberal Party 49 44.1% British Columbia New Democratic Party 34 39.7% Green Party of British Columbia 1 8.2% British Columbia Conservative Party 4.8% Independent 2.4% Other affiliations 0.9% Source: Elections BC 17

2013 Provincial Student Vote Results Political Party Candidates Elected Popular Vote British Columbia Liberal Party 21 28.2% British Columbia New Democratic Party 53 38.5% Green Party of British Columbia 8 17.2% British Columbia Conservative Party 8.6% Independent 3 3.7% Other affiliations 3.8% 18

How did the 2013 Student Vote results compare to the general election results? Why do you think the results were different?

Researching the Candidates Which candidates are running for office in your electoral district? How can you find out? How can you learn about the candidates and the parties they represent? How should you evaluate candidates?