Three Strategies to Block the Gerrymandering of the Electoral College

[xchrom]

http://www.thenation.com/blog/172447/three-strategies-stop-gerrymandering-electoral-college


Reince Priebus speaks at the 2011 Republican Leadership Conference. (Flickr/Gage Skidmore)

***SNIP

1. “NAME AND SHAME” THOSE WHO WOULD RIG ELECTIONS

Because election rules are often arcane, those who write them have an advantage. If they move quickly and quietly, they can “fix” the system to their advantage.

***SNIP

2. ENGAGE IN THE DEBATE AND OFFER A POPULAR-VOTE ALTERNATIVE

Priebus and his allies will claim that assigning electoral votes via gerrymandered congressional districts gives more Americans a voice in the process—even though that “voice” could allow a minority to claim a state and the presidency.

***SNIP

3. MAKE GERRYMANDERING AN ISSUE

The assignment of electoral votes based on congressional district lines is not unheard of. Two smaller states—Nebraska and Maine—have done it for years. But this approach with gerrymandering schemes that draw district lines to favor one party has the potential to dismantle democracy at the national level.

[uponit7771]

1. Post on mixed wing forum, right wingers hate this...bring it up they scatter. Optics don't look good

[think]

2. Hopefully Dems are focussing on voter registration & outreach

in the infected areas....

[SDjack]

3. Sue in Federal court. nt

[socialindependocrat]

4. Is that how to control the states?

There must be a way to control something as unethical as gerrymandering.

There must also, be a way to control poor practices - at the state level
other than fighting the issue in each separate state.

Is federal court the way to do it?

My B-I-L was in the elections dept in MA and he said they have rules
for drawing the district lines in order to eliminate gerrymandering.
I am amazed that our goverment allows this practice to continue.

And here we have Preibus standing there as large as life saying
-Let's do this - right out in the open.

240 years and we have more stupid now than there ever was!

[forthemiddle]

5. In 2008-2009 in Wisconsin

The Democrats had control of all government. A bill was proposed by the GOP to have congressional districts drawn by a panel so gerrymandering could not happen. They of course did this selfishly because they were in the minority, and the Democrats refused to put it up for a vote.
In 2010 we all know what happened, and because it was the census year Republicans will control the legislature for this decade.

When I hear people complain about gerrymandering I want to scream.....

[randome]

6. #1 seems to be working. High profile Republicans are repudiating this.

That doesn't mean we should not be prepared or that we should stop putting the pressure on.