NPR: California Proposal Could Influence 2008 Election

California Proposal Could Influence 2008 Election

Oh, this is deliciously sneaky. It's just an idea at the moment, but Thomas Hiltachk, a prominent GOP lawyer from Sacramento, wants to put a proposal on the California ballot next year that would change the way the Golden State awards electoral votes in presidential elections.

If it passes -- heck, if it even makes it to the ballot -- it could prove to be a real thorn in the sides of Democrats.

Currently, the winner of the state's popular vote takes all 55 electoral votes -- and they've been pretty solidly Democratic votes for the past few election cycles.

But Hiltachk's proposal would see the winner of the popular vote only get two guaranteed electoral votes, while the rest would be awarded based on who won the popular vote in each of the state's 53 congressional districts. Although George Bush lost the state by double-digits in 2004, he won the vote in about 20 congressional districts. If the proposal passed, the Republicans' share of California's electoral bounty could pretty much give them a lock on the White House.

Here's the bottom line: Even if the proposal makes it to the ballot, it would be a longshot to pass because Democrats and independents (who make up the majority of voters in California) would likely oppose it. But it's ingenious in the way it would force Democrats to spend a lot of money fighting it in a state where they can normally count on keeping their expenses to a minimum.

And in presidential elections, every dollar counts.

3:28 PM ET | 07-31-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

The problem with his proposal is it is only for one state (favoring one party), and it doesn't go far enough.

What really is needed is to elect the president by popular vote (using a ranked choice/IRV voting system). This should have been an obvious step after the debacle in 2000.

Perhaps if this does get on the ballot (and it is mostly a matter of money), it will re-open that debate)

Sent by Steve Rhodes | 3:52 PM ET | 07-31-2007

Man, it's always something, isn't it? Florida had the hanging chads and Katherine Harris. Then we got the Diebold machines that (shock upon shock) had glitches that gave Bush a win in Ohio. Now this. Those wacky Republicans, what will they think of next?

Sent by Gita Smith | 3:57 PM ET | 07-31-2007

Good point from Steve. For a country that holds itself as a model of democracy, it does not have a democratic voting procedure - shameful and a sham.

Sent by Hellen Harvey | 10:18 AM ET | 08-07-2007

Would that every state was doing what California is proposing. As is, congressional districts are so safe that it is relatively easy for Republicans and Democrats to place a given state in their respective column in advance, and so ignore all but a few "battle ground states." If presidential candidates had to battle for congressional districts instead of states, they would have actively court each state.

Sent by jimm wetherbee | 6:42 AM ET | 08-09-2007

Were this scheme to be implemented in all states and congressional districts be redrawn more sensibly by non-partisan commissions, then this would be a worthwhile change. Americans currently effectively disenfranchised (at least in this European's view) in non-battleground states would gain a true voice in presidential politics.

Yet, as it is presented it does smack of partisan hackery. I wish supporters of this scheme would seek to put a coalition of several states (red, blue and purple) together. Then this proposal would have real legitimacy.

Sent by Charles from Berlin | 9:05 AM ET | 08-09-2007

It is a great idea if EVERY state does it. Otherwise, it is simply a partisan measure.

I do favor the idea of every state doing it.

Sent by Don Heidenreich | 10:25 AM ET | 08-09-2007

If this measure were to pass, the next thing to happen would be Republicans trying to redraw district lines in their favor. Kind of how Tom Delay did in Texas. I'm a Democrat living in Utah, my vote never counts and I still think the whole thing is a bad idea.

Sent by Sarah | 3:58 PM ET | 08-09-2007

I think it would be a great policy to open all states to a district by district allocation of electoral votes. However, like most of the campaign practices of the Republican party, this one is aimed at ursurping democracy and maintaining party power. I would love for this practice to be adopted in the south and midwest. As an Oklahoman, I've always known that my presidential vote doesn't really matter, because I live in a state that always votes Republican in a Presidential campaign. As a Political Science student, I understand that voting is a duty, but I know many people who do not vote as a result of the voter apathy that is inherent in the electoral college system.

Sent by Stefanie Cole | 4:06 PM ET | 08-09-2007

Other states do do this, maybe not many, but they do exist. And if it would more adequately represent the makeup of the state, then they should do it. However, because the Democrats count on California (and take it for granted) they will put up a fight and it won't pass.

Sent by Shane | 6:02 PM ET | 08-09-2007

Reject this unless it is a national change.

Sent by Gary | 1:23 AM ET | 08-12-2007

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