"For example, since the beginning of this year, lower court judges in Ohio, Louisiana, Alabama and Georgia have ruled that GOP legislators illegally drew those states’ congressional maps along racial or partisan lines that would likely result in unfair Republican victories."
Don't confuse partisan gerrymandering with racial gerrymandering that is unconstitutional. There is no mention of political parties in the Constitution. Therefore, the Supreme Court is not justified in ruling against highly partisan gerrymandering.
"If we abolish single-seat districts entirely in favor of multi-seat districts elected by ranked choice voting, that would eliminate the need to redraw legislative district lines and substantially weaken the ability of any political party to manipulate results."
America needs a new third party that prioritizes election reforms that result in fair representation. Without significant election reforms, no third party - no matter what the platform - will be able to compete with the duopoly.
Dale, what do you think of the newly formed Forward Party? Its leaders like Andrew Yang (Democrat) and Christine Todd Whitman (GOP) have certainly been talking up election reform, including RCV. Any thoughts?
The Forward Party looks encouraging, but the platform is not yet complete. There is emphasis on ranked choice voting, nonpartisan primaries and independent redistricting commissions. I promote ranked choice voting and independent redistricting but oppose final five nonpartisan primaries - although they're better than top-two or final four primaries. The 1st amendment right of the people to peaceably assemble justifies closed primary elections. However, independent voters naturally feel they have a right to participate in taxpayer subsidized primaries. My main objection is that final five primaries shift the diversity of candidates from the general election to the primary election. In my opinion, South Carolina has a superior process. Any registered voter can vote in either the Democrat or Republican primary elections conducted on the same day. The winner of each primary advances to the general election. Nominees of state recognized third party conventions also advance to the general election. Independent candidates who collect and submit the required number of petition signatures are also on the general election ballot. The result is a diversity of candidates competing in the high voter turnout general election. My only criticism is that ranked choice voting should be utilized in the primary and general elections.
"For example, since the beginning of this year, lower court judges in Ohio, Louisiana, Alabama and Georgia have ruled that GOP legislators illegally drew those states’ congressional maps along racial or partisan lines that would likely result in unfair Republican victories."
Don't confuse partisan gerrymandering with racial gerrymandering that is unconstitutional. There is no mention of political parties in the Constitution. Therefore, the Supreme Court is not justified in ruling against highly partisan gerrymandering.
"If we abolish single-seat districts entirely in favor of multi-seat districts elected by ranked choice voting, that would eliminate the need to redraw legislative district lines and substantially weaken the ability of any political party to manipulate results."
America needs a new third party that prioritizes election reforms that result in fair representation. Without significant election reforms, no third party - no matter what the platform - will be able to compete with the duopoly.
Dale, what do you think of the newly formed Forward Party? Its leaders like Andrew Yang (Democrat) and Christine Todd Whitman (GOP) have certainly been talking up election reform, including RCV. Any thoughts?
The Forward Party looks encouraging, but the platform is not yet complete. There is emphasis on ranked choice voting, nonpartisan primaries and independent redistricting commissions. I promote ranked choice voting and independent redistricting but oppose final five nonpartisan primaries - although they're better than top-two or final four primaries. The 1st amendment right of the people to peaceably assemble justifies closed primary elections. However, independent voters naturally feel they have a right to participate in taxpayer subsidized primaries. My main objection is that final five primaries shift the diversity of candidates from the general election to the primary election. In my opinion, South Carolina has a superior process. Any registered voter can vote in either the Democrat or Republican primary elections conducted on the same day. The winner of each primary advances to the general election. Nominees of state recognized third party conventions also advance to the general election. Independent candidates who collect and submit the required number of petition signatures are also on the general election ballot. The result is a diversity of candidates competing in the high voter turnout general election. My only criticism is that ranked choice voting should be utilized in the primary and general elections.