Once again, there is a chance to make history in an election. It's not anywhere near here, but you can still get involved.

British Columbia goes to the polls Tuesday May 12 and there's more than the government at stake. Concurrent with the election is a referendum on a proportional representation electoral system called Single Transferrable Vote (STV for short). In BC-STV, voters use a preferential ballot to rate the candidates on the ballot. Ridings are merged and there is more than one MLA to each of the new merged ridings. It's an interesting concept and it works in Ireland, the Australian Senate, and for local elections in Scotland and New Zealand. The counting procedure ensures that every ballot counts to elect someone.

The BC Greens are running a full slate under leader Jane Sterk and are polling at 13 percent. Jane Sterk has been invited into the leaders' debate.

You Can Help!

Unlike the rules in Ontario, anybody in Canada can contribute to political campaigns in BC (except you don't get the tax receipt). You can contribute to the BC Greens or the British Columbians for BC-STV campaign.

If you have a low cost telephone long distance plan, you can also volunteer as a phone canvasser with either campaign.

May 12 is not that far away, and a breakthrough for the Greens or BC-STV would change the game forever in Canada.