As voters across Yukon head to the polls today, they face a choice that goes beyond simply selecting their territorial government. For the first time, Yukoners will also answer a non-binding referendum question on electoral reform – potentially setting the stage for significant changes to how democracy functions in the territory.
The question asks residents if they support moving away from the current first-past-the-post system toward some form of proportional representation. It’s a question that has sparked coffee shop debates from Whitehorse to Dawson City over recent months.
“What we’re seeing is a genuine appetite for conversation about how our democracy works,” explains Dr. Amanda Benson, political scientist at Yukon University. “Particularly in a territory with such a small population, the question of fair representation takes on special importance.”
The referendum comes after the territorial legislature passed a motion last year to include the question on this election’s ballot. The Silver government, which has faced criticism over its handling of housing shortages and resource development tensions, described the move as “putting power back in the hands of Yukoners.”
Current polls suggest a tight race between the Yukon Liberal Party and Yukon Party, with the NDP showing stronger-than-expected numbers in several key ridings. The territory’s 19 electoral districts will determine who forms the next government in this region of roughly 40,000 people.
In Whitehorse, where about 70% of the territory’s population resides, housing affordability remains the dominant issue. The average home price has increased nearly 35% since the last election, according to the Yukon Bureau of Statistics.
“I’m voting based on who has a realistic plan for housing,” said Janet McPherson, 42, after casting her ballot at a downtown polling station. “But I’m also excited about weighing in on electoral reform. It feels like we’re part of something bigger than just another election.”
The current first-past-the-post system has produced several minority governments in recent territorial elections. Critics argue this demonstrates the system’s failure to translate voter intentions into representative governance, while defenders suggest it reflects the territory’s natural political diversity.
Outside the capital, resource development and Indigenous self-governance agreements dominate discussions. In communities like Mayo and Haines Junction, voters express concern about balancing economic opportunities with environmental protection.
“Our community depends on mining, but we also depend on healthy land,” explained William Silverfox, a voter in Mayo. “We need a voting system that makes sure all these perspectives get heard in Whitehorse.”
The Electoral Reform Society of Yukon has conducted community workshops throughout the territory, explaining various proportional systems including Mixed-Member Proportional, Single Transferable Vote, and Rural-Urban Proportional Representation.
“No matter which system people prefer, most Yukoners I’ve spoken with understand that our current system creates distorted results,” said Eleanor Cabott, the society’s outreach coordinator. “When a party can form government with 35% of the votes, that raises legitimate questions.”
The current Yukon Liberal government, led by Premier Sandy Silver until his retirement earlier this year and now by Ranj Pillai, formed government in 2021 with support from the Yukon NDP despite winning fewer seats than the Yukon Party.
Chief Electoral Officer Maxwell Grant expects higher-than-usual turnout, with early voting numbers already up 12% from 2021. “We’re seeing strong engagement across all demographics,” Grant noted. “The referendum question seems to have sparked additional interest.”
If the referendum receives majority support, the next government would be expected to establish a citizens’ assembly to recommend a specific alternative voting system. This assembly would study options and propose a model tailored to Yukon’s unique needs before any binding referendum.
Indigenous organizations have expressed particular interest in the reform conversation. The Council of Yukon First Nations released a statement encouraging participation, noting that “electoral systems directly impact how First Nations voices and priorities are represented in government.”
For business owners like Michael Henderson, who runs a tourism company in Carcross, the debate transcends partisan lines. “I don’t care which party is in power as long as they represent what Yukoners actually voted for,” Henderson said. “This referendum might be the most important thing on the ballot.”
Polls close at 8 p.m. local time, with results expected to begin flowing in around 9 p.m. The referendum results may take longer to tabulate than the election itself, according to Elections Yukon.
Regardless of tonight’s outcome, the conversation about how Yukoners select their representatives has already changed the political landscape. As the territory continues to navigate economic growth, climate challenges, and reconciliation efforts, the question of who gets a seat at the decision-making table has never seemed more relevant.
