Doing the math

I don't pretend to understand the intricacies of the mixed proportional/first-past-the-post system rejected yesterday by Ontario voters, or even to have an intelligent opinion (other than thinking that seat counts and popular vote results should be closer to each other).

However, I note the following:

• McGuinty's Liberals won 71 of 107 seats. They did this with 42% of the ballots cast. (Voter turnout was less than 50%). The party's popular vote dropped, but their seat count went up. Headline on the front page of The Globe and Mail's website: "McGuinty cruises to victory."

• Electoral reform -- which was considered marginal at best not all that long ago -- received the support of 54% of the voters. This is a far greater number than supported the Liberals. Globe subhead? "Electoral reform soundly rejected."