A plebiscite is a public vote to obtain the public opinion on a question being asked by the government. It is a non-binding vote that helps gauge what Yukoners think about an important topic before any decisions are made. Holding the vote alongside a general election makes it easier for Yukoners to participate and express their position on the topic being considered. 

The question, which will be on the ballot during the upcoming territorial general election, will ask Yukoners whether they want to keep the current first-past-the-post voting system (candidate with the most votes wins) or change to a ranked vote system (candidate who has a majority, 50% + 1 or more, of votes wins). 

Both are used to seek public input into a matter of importance to the government. 

The plebiscite follows from the work of the Special Committee on Electoral Reform (May 2021–April 2023) and the Legislative Assembly in examining ways of electing territorial governments. An outcome of this work was to establish a Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform to examine Yukon’s electoral system and make recommendations on whether to keep the current system or change to a different one.

The Citizens’ Assembly convened from May to September 2024 and tabled a report to the Legislative Assembly in October 2024. They recommended a ranked vote system to be adopted. Reports from the Special Committee and Citizens’ Assembly are available.

Elections Yukon, a non-partisan, independent office, has been mandated to administer the plebiscite with the territorial general election and provide awareness and education in support of the vote.

Eligibility to vote in the territorial election automatically includes eligibility to vote in for the plebiscite.  Only one registration is required. 

To vote in the territorial election, you must be an eligible voter in the Yukon:

• Be at least 18 years of age as of the polling day.
• Be a Canadian citizen.
• Have been a Yukon resident for at least 12 months as of polling day.

You can find more details about eligibility here.

This plebiscite will ask Yukon voters whether they want to change the voting system from first-past-the-post to ranked vote to elect members to the Legislative Assembly.

The first-past-the-post system elects members based on the candidate who receives the most votes. A majority of votes is not required.

The ranked vote system elects members based on the candidate receiving a majority (50%+1) of the votes. Voters rank candidates by preference. If the top candidate does not initially receive 50%+1 of the vote, the lowest-ranked candidate drops off, and the next preference from their votes is reallocated to the remaining candidates. This process continues until one candidate has 50%+1 of the votes.

For both systems, voters are electing a single candidate from their district to represent them. It is the method of voting and the count that are different. Neither system uses proportional representation. 

To register to vote, you must provide proof of identity and residential address (to assign you to an electoral district).

Identification to vote is not required if you are already registered, and your information is correct. 

 There are more than 50 combinations of identification that can be used to verify your identity and residence. 

A driver’s license or general ID card is best, but a combination of documents will work if they list your name and your address of residence (not your mailing address).

More information can be found here.

No. At the poll, a registered voter will receive both a territorial ballot and a plebiscite ballot. Electors have a right to decline one or both ballots. Declining a ballot is considered voting. The declined ballot does not go into the ballot box.

The plebiscite will be held concurrently with the Territorial General Election.
Voters will receive two ballots:

• One ballot is for voting for a member of the legislative assembly. This ballot will show candidate choices for their electoral district. The ballot will be the same as in previous elections.
• The ballot for the plebiscite question is clearly different from the candidate ballot. This plebiscite ballot will show the same question for all voters.

At the close of polls, candidate and plebiscite ballots will be counted separately and reported. 

Eligible voters can vote for both their member of the legislative assembly and the plebiscite. This can be done with special ballots by mail or at returning offices, at advance polls, or on polling day.

Special ballots, which will include both candidate and plebiscite ballots, will be available once the writ is issued. 

Voting locations, times, and options for the plebiscite will be the same as voting for the territorial general election after the writ is issued and once polling locations are confirmed. 

Voting is available at returning offices once the writ is issued. In-person voting locations for the advance poll and ordinary poll will be published on the Elections Yukon website, in advertising, and on Voter Information Cards to registered electors.

All voters have the option to vote by special ballot if they are unable to vote in an advance poll, on election day, or for any other reason. Applications for special ballots can be made online or at a returning office. 

The results will be reported to the government for consideration on next steps. The plebiscite is non-binding. 

This website is the centre of electoral information about the plebiscite, the territorial general election, and background information for voters.

You are invited to follow Elections Yukon on social media and regularly check our website. Local media advertising will also be used. 

You can connect with us on social media at:

Your feedback is important. You can send comments or questions to [email protected].

Printed and digital information will be available through the Elections Yukon website, social media, voter guides, brochures, posters, and advertising. 

Check your registration status on our website. You can also register or update your information online. 

Registered electors will receive a Voter Information Card and have a faster voting experience. 

You can register at your returning office or at the poll.

To register, you will need:

• proof of identity with your legal name and date of birth
• proof of address (residential, not mailing)
  • a residential address is the address where you live

There are over 50+ types of identification and supporting documents that can be used to prove your identity and residential address.

The regulations are developed by the Yukon Government and posted here.