Elections Ontario begins Understand the Question campaign
By Adnews Staff
Elections Ontario has begun a public awareness campaign in that province called "Understand the Question." The campaign is intended to educate Ontario voters about their upcoming referendum on election reform on Oct. 10. The ballot for the general provincial election on that day will include a referendum question on changing the Ontario electoral system from the "first past the post" method to a "mixed-member proportional" system. The campaign will unroll in several stages. A radio advertising campaign, a toll-free phone line and website located at <http://www.yourbigdecision.ca> launched last week. Media relations are also underway. Newspaper, television, online and direct mail advertising will begin in September. Other online elements include materials on Facebook.com and YouTube.com. "Our mandate is to ensure that Ontario voters are not only aware that a referendum is occurring on Oct. 10, but believe they are adequately prepared to make an informed decision based on their individual considerations and priorities," said John Hollins, chief electoral officer at Elections Ontario. "Through our past experience and consultation with political science and literacy experts, we have designed a program that we believe reflects Ontario's scope and diversity, delivers impartial educational information and allows voters to become informed through a variety of media."