Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Make California's Electoral Votes Proportional
Change.org ^

Posted on 11/16/2016 5:30:00 PM PST by TigerClaws

Currently, under the Electoral College system, the winner of California is awarded 55 electoral votes. California prides itself on being a diverse state, culturally and politically. However, many elections California goes Democratic because the population in the major cities dwarfs other voters. Two other states in the U.S give their votes proportionally, Nebraska and Maine.

Politicians know how to play the game and campaign exclusively to voters in the most coveted "swing states". This leaves California, a state of 38 million people, left out of the process. In a current Public Policy Institute of California survey, they found that 45% of voters identified as a Democrat, 31% Republican, and 20% Independent. This means that even though the state goes blue every four years, the majority of registered voters are not Democrat.

A proportional system would encourage more California voters to show up and have their voice heard. If California truly prides itself on being diverse, it would embrace diverse points of views and political leanings. A proportional system would also allow for the possible emergence of a third party candidate. With 20% of voters Independent, a third party candidate could make a substantial impression by winning some Electoral Votes in the Presidential Election.

California is a vast, diverse state, it is the time our politics reflect that. It is time to bring voters in from the cold and welcome all points of view by amending our state Constitution and making California's Electoral votes proportional. This is a win for all voters and a win for the democratic process.

Politicians know how to play the game and campaign exclusively to voters in the most coveted "swing states". This leaves California, a state of 38 million people, left out of the process. In a current Public Policy Institute of California survey, they found that 45% of voters identified as a Democrat, 31% Republican, and 20% Independent. This means that even though the state goes blue every four years, the majority of registered voters are not Democrat.

A proportional system would encourage more California voters to show up and have their voice heard. If California truly prides itself on being diverse, it would embrace diverse points of views and political leanings. A proportional system would also allow for the possible emergence of a third party candidate. With 20% of voters Independent, a third party candidate could make a substantial impression by winning some Electoral Votes in the Presidential Election.

California is a vast, diverse state, it is the time our politics reflect that. It is time to bring voters in from the cold and welcome all points of view by amending our state Constitution and making California's Electoral votes proportional. This is a win for all voters and a win for the democratic process.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: doublepaste
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-46 next last
This would be great. Do it like Maine does!
1 posted on 11/16/2016 5:30:00 PM PST by TigerClaws
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: TigerClaws

All west coast states should do it.


2 posted on 11/16/2016 5:32:09 PM PST by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TigerClaws

Fat chance!


3 posted on 11/16/2016 5:33:39 PM PST by EDINVA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TigerClaws

They’ll want Texas and Florida divvied up too.

Which could be arranged.


4 posted on 11/16/2016 5:33:58 PM PST by Senator Goldwater
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TigerClaws
Unilateral disarmament?

Not gonna happen.

5 posted on 11/16/2016 5:35:24 PM PST by x
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Senator Goldwater

I agree - we don’t want our MUCH CLOSER states being divided up...or we lose then. Smells like a trap.


6 posted on 11/16/2016 5:35:53 PM PST by BobL (In Honor of the NeverTrumpers, I declare myself as FR's first 'Imitation NeverTrumper')
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: BobL

I think we win more divided up. I know we’ve got vast red areas of New York, Illinois and California.


7 posted on 11/16/2016 5:38:12 PM PST by Senator Goldwater
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: All

Let’s put them on the defense.

Perhaps a legal action. Best defense is a good offense!


8 posted on 11/16/2016 5:38:20 PM PST by TigerClaws
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: TigerClaws

The electoral map shows that over half of the state voted for Trump, but the big, lib areas on the coast rule, which has ruined California.


9 posted on 11/16/2016 5:38:22 PM PST by Inyo-Mono
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TigerClaws

Just plain no

The founders had it correct

This is the first step to accepting a popular vote as the way to elect candidates. Then we end up like Venezuela


10 posted on 11/16/2016 5:39:12 PM PST by Nifster (I see puppy dogs in the clouds)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TigerClaws

This is not a job for change.org, that Obama inspired site... the California state law should do it. Would make everyone’s vote in California mean more.


11 posted on 11/16/2016 5:40:40 PM PST by SoFloFreeper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TigerClaws

No electoral reform in Kalifornia will mean squat, until and unless non-citizens are removed from the voter rolls. But for non-citizen votes, Trump may very well have won the popular vote nationally, IMHO.


12 posted on 11/16/2016 5:43:46 PM PST by rottndog ('Live Free Or Die' Ain't just words on a bumber sticker...or a tagline.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TigerClaws

Do it the way the EV is enumerated...
The EV that represents the House District should be cast for the winner of the popular vote in the district.
The two EV that represent the two Senate seats can be cast for the candidate taking the popular vote in the State.
That leaves three for DC, which can cast for the winner of the popular vote in DC.
Simple.
Darn near elegant.


13 posted on 11/16/2016 5:46:43 PM PST by PubliusMM (RKBA; a matter of fact, not opinion. 01-20-2017; I pray we make it that long.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TigerClaws

Heck YES!!!!


14 posted on 11/16/2016 5:50:19 PM PST by P-Marlowe (Freep mail me if you want to be on my Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar Ping list.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TigerClaws

How ‘bout we just leave sh*t the way it is. It has worked great since the late 1700s.


15 posted on 11/16/2016 5:50:56 PM PST by FlingWingFlyer (America sent the adults back to Washington. Sorry snowflakes, spring break is over.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All

Leftists keep hitting this ‘popular vote’ issue.

But have they opened the door?

National database of citizens could easily be compared against the list of those who voted.

That’s 1, 2, 3 million felons to issue warrants for and to ship out of the country.


16 posted on 11/16/2016 5:51:18 PM PST by TigerClaws
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: TigerClaws
I have long favored this plan. California Congressional delegation right now is: 38D-15R. Assuming Trump won each of those 15 districts the EV for California would then be 40 Hillary and 15 for Trump.

California Dems know this and will never ever give up those 15 EV's.

17 posted on 11/16/2016 5:52:52 PM PST by Michael.SF. (She calls me Mr. Deplorable.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TigerClaws

Then they will redraw their districts so that only 2 or 3 of them are outside the cities.


18 posted on 11/16/2016 5:56:04 PM PST by Ingtar (Don't blame me. I already voted for Trump.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Nifster

Winner take all is not now and never has been a Constitutional requirement.

Frankly I have always thought that each congressional district should have its own presidential election with the 2 senate votes going to the winner of the State’s overall popular vote.

This makes the whole election process local.


19 posted on 11/16/2016 5:56:19 PM PST by P-Marlowe (Freep mail me if you want to be on my Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar Ping list.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: PubliusMM

yes 13
similar to the ‘Mundt plan’


20 posted on 11/16/2016 5:56:26 PM PST by aumrl (let's keep it real Conservatives)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-46 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson