Uncooperative Radio: California electoral vote split proposed

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

California electoral vote split proposed

Wouldn't this be great!

From The Washington Times:

A prominent Republican lawyer wants to put a proposal on the California ballot next year that could shake up the 2008 presidential contest to his party's advantage.

California awards its 55 electoral votes to the statewide winner — the largest single prize in the nation. But under the proposal, the statewide winner would get only two electoral votes. The rest would be distributed to the winning candidate in each of the state's congressional districts. In effect, that would create 53 races, each with one electoral vote up for grabs.

The state voted Democratic in the past four presidential elections. But the change — if it qualifies for one of two primary ballots early next year and is approved by voters — would mean a Republican would be positioned the following November to win about 20 electoral votes in Republican-leaning districts. That is a number equal to winning Ohio.

The Presidential Election Reform Act is being pushed by Thomas Hiltachk, a lawyer in a Sacramento firm that represents the California Republican Party and worked with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. He did not return phone messages left yesterday at his office. A Schwarzenegger spokeswoman said the governor is not involved with the proposed initiative.

democrats are, of course, opposed to this idea as it would mean that republican and independent conservative voters would have a say in California as to who is President. I bet voter turn out would increase as well. Right now we all know where California's electoral vote will go, to a Democrat. I would like to see this idea spread. there is nothing like seeing the majority of a state's counties vote one way and because one county has a big city in it the State's vote goes the opposite way.

It would also mean that candidates would campaign in California which they do not bother to do right now.