B.C. Referendum — Why was STV defeated?
Last week, British Columbia reran the referendum on electoral reform that was held four years ago, and it is remarkable how different the results were.

In 2005 (link), 57.7% voted in favour of switching to STV, and in 77 of 79 districts a majority voted in favour of switching to STV.

In 2009 (link), 38.7% voted in favour of switching to STV, and in 7 of 85 districts a majority voted in favour of switching to STV.

What accounts for the results? First, in 2005 British Columbia experienced a hugely disproportionate legislative assembly; in the 2001 election, the Liberal Party won 77 of 79 districts. The NDP, as Official Opposition, won only two seats in the assembly despite receiving 21.6% of the vote (link).

Second, I do not recall any television advertising campaigning on either side of the 2005 referendum. There might have been some, but certainly not as much as this year. I would conclude that the ubiquitous TV and print advertising opposed to STV, much of which was deceptive, was a major factor in the referendum results.