Photo: The Canadian Press

Leo Cheverie poses for a portrait with his sign from the 2005 referendum in Charlottetown, P.E.I., on Tuesday, June 12, 2018.

A referendum law that could see the cradle of Confederation become the birthplace of proportional representation passed yesterday.

Prince Edward Island legislators approved the Electoral System Referendum Act in an evening sitting, laying out what Attorney General Jordan Brown describes as a "fair choice" to determine the electoral future of the province.

The question in the bill is — "Should Prince Edward Island change its voting system to a mixed member proportional voting system?"

The Island vote poses a simple "Yes" or "No" option, with political scientists predicting a tight battle over the outcome when the referendum is held at the same time as the next provincial election.

A "No" vote would mean the continuation of 27 legislature seats chosen by the first-past-the-post method.

A "Yes" creates a system of voters choosing 18 legislators in redrawn electoral districts and also casting province-wide ballots for nine others from lists parties create.