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Stop the GOP from Stealing the Presidency Right Here in California

By Art Torres
Chair of the California Democratic Party

The Republican initiative called the “Presidential Election Reform Act,” about to begin circulating for signatures to qualify for California’s June 3, 2008 primary, is like a bad movie sequel.

“Florida, Part Deux” is simply another GOP power grab, expanding on what Republicans did to Al Gore, and to our nation, in 2000 -- only this time, it’s happening right in our own backyard.

In 1992 and 1996, Bill Clinton got the most votes in California, as well as nationwide. The same for Al Gore in 2000, despite the Supreme Court vote. In 2004, Bush lost California by 1.2 million votes, but received the most votes in enough states (and nationally), which gave him the necessary Electoral Votes and a second term.

Now the Republicans don’t want to give the win to the presidential candidate who gets the most votes statewide, beginning with the crucial 2008 race. This initiative would take California’s 55 Electoral Votes, one for each of our 53 congressional districts and two for our U.S. Senators, and break them up as a way to supersede the popular vote of California.

Since 1850, California has used a statewide system for counting the vote for presidential candidates. Prior to 1940, the names of the Electors were listed on the ballot, but it was always a statewide vote. When Ronald Reagan was running for President, he never proposed changing the system.

Under this initiative, if the Republican presidential nominee wins any congressional district then that district’s electoral votes would be cast for the Republican. Bush won 22 districts in California in 2004.

Under this new scheme, the Republican candidate would be able to steal 22 of California’s 55 electoral votes. This could mean the difference between electing a Democratic President who will lead our country in a new direction, and another four years of the Republican status quo -- which polls show the American people do not want.

U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein have denounced the latest GOP power move, saying, “This Republican initiative is the wrong reform at the wrong time in the wrong place. If we want to change the way we elect the president, we should go to a direct national popular vote -- where it would be guaranteed that the presidential candidate who receives the most votes in all 50 states will win the presidency. This power grab, orchestrated by the Republicans, is another cynical move to keep the Presidency in Republican control."

If this Republican initiative were to pass, it would be like putting another Ohio into the GOP column, practically guaranteeing another Bush/Rove Republican moving into the White House.

Translation: not only would the Iraq war NOT end, but the Republicans would take the “win” as their mandate to invade Iran.

The last time a Democrat won in Texas was Jimmy Carter in 1976. Texas now has 32 congressional districts but the Republicans aren’t proposing their scheme there. In fact, if Texas had had this proposed system in place in 2000, when Gore won 10 districts, even the Supreme Court could not have stopped Gore from being sworn in as President.

But here in California, signature gathering for this initiative will soon hit the streets, and it would not be surprising if Republicans tried to sell it as a way to make elections “fair and balanced.” There is nothing fair or balanced about trying to rig an election where there is so much at stake. We urge citizens to take a stand, keep California’s 55 electoral votes intact and send a message to the right wing by NOT signing this petition.

If the Republicans do qualify this Trojan Horse, Californians will defeat it.

Here's what you can do to help:

• Sign our Petition and make your voice heard

• Sign up to receive updates on this Issue

Contribute now to stop this attempt to steal the White House again. The Party must get the word out to voters about the truth behind this so-called Republican "reform." We need the resources for that statewide effort.

• Discuss this issue at your local political meetings.

• Forward this article to friends and family - we need to reach as many Democrats as possible

Also visit www.fairelectionreform.com to learn more.

Posted on August 27, 2007

Comments

Redistricting "reform" is another Republican power grab. Why should California "reform" when Texas, Florida, Ohio, etc
do not? Stop both power grabs--no to splitting the electoral vote and no to single-state redistricting changes.

Posted by: publius at August 27, 2007 09:46 AM

What about the constitutional implications of this initative, if it passes? Doesn't it blatantly violate Article II, Section 1.2? No one wants to let it get that far, but how could it possible stand up in the end?

Posted by: Jim Carlile at August 28, 2007 06:27 PM

I haven't read everything on this issue, so bear with me.

Is there any possibility of a second initiative, that says:
"No change to the California contribution to the Electoral College will take effect until the date that a majority of states (as determined in the current electoral college mechanism) agree to a common change on a common date. California will not take unilateral action to change its representation in the Election College at any time."

In other words, if the initiative passes, this still keeps it away until it's really a change that happens at one moment in time. It would minimize the damage and shenanighans.

Posted by: Jeff Bowles at September 6, 2007 04:45 PM

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