Field Poll shows Californians lean toward dividing electoral votes (47-35% favor. Dems terrified)

SFGate.com ^ | 8/21/07 | Matthew Yi

[TexasAg1996]

Then why has the very same system not been overturned by the courts in Nebraska and Maine?

Because the legislatures there established the programs. This is a ballot initiative in California, not a legislative action. The Constitution specifically says that the state legislature appoints the electors.

[Clemenza]

Yep. Same would have happened had the Dems succeeded in getting this on the ballot in Florida.

[MSF BU]

Wouldn’t that just put four liberal senators into Washington rather than two?

[kbennkc]

All my life scientists have promised an earthquake that would cause California to fall into the ocean. This looks like the next best thing.

[Clemenza]

So? That’s what you get for living in a state with alot of libs. I wouldn’t support this even though I live in Sopranostan...

[Political Junkie Too]

Well, the Democrats were all for this when it applied to “Red State” Colorado, so I’m at least curious at how they are gonna frame their opposition to it in this instance.

I'll tell you. California is greater than 6 Colorados in the Electoral College.

-PJ

[Dilbert San Diego]

I think that the legislatures of Nebraska and Maine instituted this plan in their states. So those are ok since the legislators voted for it. The courts may be asked to decide if the voters of Calif. can make this change without the legislature voting for it.

Both House and state Senate in Calif. are in Democratic hands, so no way this would ever pass the legislature.

[Robert A Cook PE]

It puts CA in play for repubbies.

Nationally? Might be a tossup - but like the 17th Amendment, we won’t know the result for many years

[Bob J]

Got the research?

BTW - Golf is #1.

[IslandJeff]

Nebraska already does it this way. Not sure if they’ve ever had a court challenge.

[A Balrog of Morgoth]

Then why has the very same system not been overturned by the courts in Nebraska and Maine?

Point taken.

Counterpoint: Consider that we are talking about state courts, and the state in question is California.

I suspect, but do not not know, that Federal Courts would stay clear of this issue.

[normy]

Of course Gore wouldn't have won. Remember the county by county maps that showed the whole country practically red? I believe Dems get almost 90 electoral votes just by winning New York and California.

County by county Bush slaughtered Gore but the high number of votes in New York and Cali, along with an unusually high vote in Florida, probably went a long way toward giving Gore the popular vote.

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

Demons are such shaking children why would anyone want to put the affairs of state in the hands of infants fairness is not a deed that wants to be seen by children but selfishness is substituted for fairness .

Selfishness indeed....

[Bob J]

By “Californicator” I assume you’re referring to Jim Robinson, a Californicator, and Free Republic, which was conceived and built in CA?

[MSF BU]

Looks as though Orange County isn’t nearly the Reagan-Country it once was.

[gbs]

Yeah, now do one for all 3600 odd counties in all the states and you’d see Gore won around 360 of them. Love the idea. It would be nice to have the country run by those that live with the trees, than by those that drive out of town to “LOOK” at the trees!!.

[umgud]

If the proposal is adopted, analysts suggest that a Republican presidential candidate would get a boost because Democrats can no longer count on all 55 electoral votes from California, which has voted for Democratic candidates since 1988.

CA Republican citizens have been disinfranchised since 1988.

[TASMANIANRED]

http://www.princeton.edu/~rvdb/JAVA/election2004/

I’m linking the whole thing.

Look at the county by county election results.

And consider them in context of there the big liberal cities are.

[Spktyr]

Two ultra liberal, and possibly two conservatives.

[Political Junkie Too]

There’s a good chance of this being challenged in court.

And it would be the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that would hear it, too.

-PJ