Results: Canada and The United States of America have quite different systems of government yet have some similarity in outcomes when it comes to representing the wishes of the voting public. This survey is a discussion piece on some of these issues.
Published on 06/27/2025
The USA election in 2024 and in Canada in 2025 resulted in political maps that look quite similar and for similar reasons. There are two political parties in the USA and very little opportunity for another party to develop (such as a Green Party). In Canada we have several parties but the 2025 election almost wiped out all but two of them. A two party system can leave many political views unrepresented. Both Ireland and Scotland have tried to create a more inclusive type of government which, while not perfect, has managed to create a more "democratic democracy". See what you think of it.

QUESTIONS
GO to COMMENTS
Comments
1.
1.
Whether or not you live in a blue or red area politically, do you believe a political map that looks like this is how democracy is supposed to work in your country?

Yes
19%
391 votes
No
24%
509 votes
Undecided
29%
606 votes
Not Applicable
28%
594 votes
2.
2.
Canada has a "First Past The Post" electoral system. In every riding, the candidate that wins the highest number of votes wins the right to represent that particular seat. Here are some aspects of this system. Which of them do you think have a negative impact on the democratic process?

The winner does not need an absolute majority — i.e., more than 50 per cent of the votes cast in the riding. Many candidates win their seats with less than 50 per cent of the votes.
20%
415 votes
Two people running in different ridings can each earn the same percentage of the vote but one may win while the other does not.
17%
362 votes
The first-past-the-post system can also encourage what some call tactical voting — casting a ballot not for the person you want to vote for, but for the candidate best positioned to defeat the candidate you most dislike. This can eliminate smaller parties and can create a two party state.
18%
373 votes
A 2.5% difference in the popular vote can result in a 25% difference in the number of seats allocated and 6% of the popular vote towards a party that wants to leave Canada has given them 22 of the seats. (see illustration) This system has divided the country along party lines in many recent elections such as the one in 2025.
19%
407 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
11 votes
Not Applicable
56%
1186 votes
Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
---|---|---|
0.38% | 6 | |
this just let the Big Cities run the entire country , So No we all need to be counted.. Try reading more | 0.06% | 1 |
A large number of candidates can change the outcome of the vote based on positional advantage. | 0.06% | 1 |
undecided | 0.06% | 1 |
i don't understand the question | 0.06% | 1 |
None of these are that negative. For me, these are acceptable results. | 0.06% | 1 |
3.
3.
The United States uses the Electoral College system. Instead of a popular vote where every vote is counted equally across the country, the Electoral College system assigns a certain number of electoral votes to each state, based on the size of its population. Candidates must win the majority of these electoral votes to become president. Here are some aspects of this system. Which of them do you think impacts negatively on the democratic process?

The Electoral College is not consistent from state to state in how the voting process works and who controls the voting mechanism. Some states have a winner-take-all system where a voting bloc can win all seats in a legislature or electoral district, denying representation to any political minorities. (Is this desirable - comments?)
29%
616 votes
The Electoral College hopes to ensure smaller states still have a significant voice in elections. Without it, candidates might only focus on the most populated states like California, Texas, or Florida, ignoring the needs of smaller or less populated regions. The system aims to distribute attention across the entire country. (But does it - comments?)
18%
381 votes
By making it difficult for smaller parties to win electoral votes, the Electoral College encourages the formation of two major political parties. This simplifies the election process and makes it easier for voters to understand their options, reducing the complexity of having many candidates to choose from. (But does it - comments?)
17%
352 votes
The system requires candidates to gain support across many states, not just one particular region. This forces candidates to appeal to a broad range of people, rather than focusing only on one area of the country. It prevents extreme regional interests from having too much power (But does it - comments?)
10%
216 votes
One of the biggest criticisms of the Electoral College is that it can result in a candidate winning the national popular vote (getting more overall votes from people across the country) but still losing the election because they didn't win enough electoral votes. This happened in several elections, most recently in 2016
20%
424 votes
Candidates tend to focus their campaigns on "swing states," or states that could go either way in the election, like Ohio or Pennsylvania. This means that other states, especially those that consistently vote for one party, get less attention, and voters in those states may feel ignored.
15%
307 votes
While the Electoral College was designed to give smaller states a voice, some critics argue that it gives too much power to states with smaller populations. For example, voters in Wyoming have more electoral vote influence than voters in California when you look at the number of voters per electoral vote.
12%
249 votes
In states that are firmly one party or the other (like heavily Republican or Democratic states), some people feel their votes don't matter because the outcome is predictable. This can lead to lower voter turnout since people may think their vote won't make a difference
17%
361 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
14 votes
Not Applicable
47%
994 votes
Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
---|---|---|
0.24% | 7 | |
Our forefathers were VERY wise. | 0.03% | 1 |
all of the above | 0.03% | 1 |
unsure | 0.03% | 1 |
Electing a president separately from other representatives has got to be one of the weirdest. E.g. Obama with a senate minority. And the there's the demand that representatives vote the party line Otherwise. it's loss of power and support | 0.03% | 1 |
The Electoral College prevents the person with the most votes (popular or not) from winning. | 0.03% | 1 |
Not reading an epilogue for a survey question | 0.03% | 1 |
the electoral college gives equal voice to every state regardless of population keeping the totals more in balance! | 0.03% | 1 |
4.
4.
In 2019, the Scottish government created the Scottish Citizens' Assembly which brought together over 100 citizens from every walk of life. Assembly members were selected to represent Scotland's entire population: age, gender, disability, household income, geography, ethnicity, rural and urban, and political opinions. Scotland has also had proportional representation (PR) since 1999. Scotland is building a democracy for the 21st century and beyond including a climate action plan. Here are some aspects of this system. Which do you think enhance the democratic process?

The Citizens' Assembly is far from a toothless talk shop or advisory committee.The government has to respond to the Citizens' Assembly's recommendations within six months.
14%
301 votes
These recommendations influenced the platform pledges of the parties heading into the last election. They also influenced the commitments in a written power-sharing deal between the two parties in government.
13%
264 votes
Recommendations included and are now part of the government's plan: A Minimum Income Guarantee, A Just Transition skills guarantee for those in carbon-intensive industries, A national network of resource libraries to enable people to borrow items such as high quality tools, equipment, clothes and toys rather than buying these items themselves. A pilot fund to support companies who want to try a 4-day working week.
18%
370 votes
Scotland's Parliament has elections using Mixed Member Proportional Representation. This involves both constituency MSPs elected by plurality and 8 additional members elected to ensure overall proportionality. While efforts are made to represent various demographics, some groups like women and ethnic minorities are still underrepresented but progress is being made.
14%
300 votes
Other (please specify)
0%
10 votes
Not Applicable
64%
1336 votes
Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
---|---|---|
0.48% | 6 | |
majority rules in a Democracy | 0.08% | 1 |
unsure | 0.08% | 1 |
not reading an epilogue for answering a survey question. | 0.08% | 1 |
I don't know | 0.08% | 1 |
5.
5.
How do you feel about the elections process in your country?

I am a Canadian and think we should keep the process as it is.
14%
298 votes
I am a Canadian and think we should change the process to more accurately reflect the popular vote.
14%
295 votes
I am an American and think we should keep the process as it is.
17%
361 votes
I am an American and think we should change the process to more accurately reflect the popular vote.
26%
555 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
25 votes
Not Applicable
27%
566 votes
Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
---|---|---|
0.65% | 10 | |
When ti's bnot frauded, as it has been in the recent past and occasionally throughout prior history, it works fine . | 0.07% | 1 |
I am one of Jehovah's witnesses. I made my vote for Jehovah. I stay neutral in all politics. | 0.07% | 1 |
It is ******** that a convicted felon can be elected by idiots | 0.07% | 1 |
Can you write a survey that isn't a major wordy essay? | 0.07% | 1 |
I'm lucky not to reside in a country, such as Iran and Ukraine, where the USA orchestrates coups | 0.07% | 1 |
let's use Scottish or another enhanced system | 0.07% | 1 |
Voting doesn't work; never has, never will | 0.07% | 1 |
It must be bad - we elected Trump | 0.07% | 1 |
There is good reason why the effort to rid we Canadians of First past the Post failed. Too complicated to get into here. | 0.07% | 1 |
As a Canadian, i believe the voting system needs to be completely rethought to reflect the demographics better. No voices are heard besides those who yell the loudest. But that s not always where change is needed most. | 0.07% | 1 |
I think there should be NO rank voting like we have here in Maine. . . .Many voting have no clue how it works! | 0.07% | 1 |
I am not sure. | 0.07% | 1 |
American, and leave my elections as they are! | 0.07% | 1 |
Undecided | 0.07% | 1 |
unsure | 0.07% | 1 |
COMMENTS