Colorado Citizens Seek to Change Electoral Process (sorry, if dupe)

[adamrsilva]

As reported by Electoral Vote Predictor 2004:

"A group of Colorado citizens have proposed a change to the state's constitution specifying that Colorado's nine electors be apportioned strictly in proportion to the popular vote. Currently Bush is ahead 48% to 43% there, so under the proposed system, Bush would get five electoral votes and Kerry four electoral votes, instead of nine to zero. The group has turned in petitions containing 130,000 signatures. If about 68,000 of these prove to be valid, the question will be a ballot referendum in November. If it passes, the change takes effect for this year's election. If it makes the ballot, on the evening of Nov. 2, the TV news anchors will probably be saying: 'President Bush won Colorado with 55% of the vote, but we don't know how many votes he will get in the electoral college until they finish recounting the closely fought referendum on changing the Colorado state constitution.' Whoever loses will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, which once again may have to rule on the sensitive issue of state's rights. To learn more about what may be the sleeper issue of the year, start here."

The article points out that if this had been done this way in 2000, Gore would have won the election. Bush is leading Colorado right now, but is only a few points ahead like last time, so even if he won Kerry would also get a significant number of electoral votes, lessing Bush's chances of winning the election and increasing Kerry's.

[Democat]

1. This seems dangerous if done only by certain states

What if New York and California make the electors split based on votes, but Texas and Florida don't?

Would the Democrats ever again be able to win the presidency?

If every state did it, then it would probably be better, but if only certain ones do it seems dangerous?

[Frances]

2. Doesn't one state already do this?

[salonghorn70]

3. You Are Correct

This should only be done on a national basis, if at all. We could get screwed if California decides it is a great reform but none of the Republican states change their method.

[DaveSZ]

4. Every state should have proportional representation imo

:)

It's dangerous when you only have a few states that do, because it breeds more electoral fraud.