15.6.04
Electoral Reform
Colorado may have on its November ballot an initiative that would split the state's electors for presidential elections proportionally, rather than winner-take-all. It would take effect immediately. It would mean, in no uncertain terms, a guarantee of at least four (of nine) electoral votes for Kerry from Colorado - which he might win anyhow, but prolly wouldn't. The story here, via dKos, which also has this good commentary:
Any electoral reform is good. This is a start, and potentially a very politically useful one for the Good Guys. Now if we could only get people to start talking about changing the Senate over to a national-party-ballot proportional-representation system, then we'd REALLY be cooking...
The move is brilliant. For one, every state should allocate EVs in this manner. Maine and Nebraska already have some variation of proportionate EV allocation, and it would force the parties and candidates to pay attention to swing regions unlucky enough to not reside in a swing state. There are more than 18 states in the union, but you wouldn't know it from the way this campaign will be waged.
But on a more immediate tactical level, this initiative will force Republicans to spend a great deal of money in Colorado when they hoped to completely ignore the state and take its nine EVs for granted. Despite all the talk of Colorado being in play this year, Kerry still has a ways to go before he pulls the state in play.
But with this initiative on the ballot, Republicans have to fight to defeat the initiative (millions will likely get spent on the effort), and also give the state some love (Bush's time and money) in case the initiative passed.
Any electoral reform is good. This is a start, and potentially a very politically useful one for the Good Guys. Now if we could only get people to start talking about changing the Senate over to a national-party-ballot proportional-representation system, then we'd REALLY be cooking...
perma-linky posted by jkd : 14:06
