[LS]

While it is done in a couple of states, I think it defeats the spirit of the constitution, which emphasized ensuring state identity in the electoral college. Of course, it would benefit us enormously.

[Paleo Conservative]

I think it defeats the spirit of the constitution, which emphasized ensuring state identity in the electoral college.

The winner take all system didn't start till the 19th century when the big city machine bosses started it to enhance the national power of the big city machines. There would still be the two statewide votes for each state under the proposed California system. The big problem is that the US Constitution very explicitly states that the state legislatures determine the method of selecting a state's electors. Even if California's constitution states that referenda passed by the statewide plebecite are officially acts of the legislature, I don't think that satisfies the US Constitution's requirements.

[michigander]

While it is done in a couple of states, I think it defeats the spirit of the constitution, which emphasized ensuring state identity in the electoral college.

I've emphasized the spirit of the constitution below...

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Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a number of electors, equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or person holding an office of trust or profit under the United States, shall be appointed an elector.

[roamer_1]

While it is done in a couple of states, I think it defeats the spirit of the constitution, which emphasized ensuring state identity in the electoral college. Of course, it would benefit us enormously.

I will have to disagree- I am quite happy to see this happen. The purpose of the Electoral College is to assure reasonable representation for less populous states. This is in the same spirit, though one would have to say "regions" instead of "states".

Something has to be done to curb the overweening influence of mega-cities. L.A and San Francisco own California even though the rest of the state votes Republican. The same can be said for Illinois- Without Chicago, it is a red state.

The split-point idea restores some influence to those rural areas in states with mega-cities. It is certainly an idea which is "in the spirit" of the intent.