Mississippi could drop Jim Crow-era statewide voting process

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Source: AP

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi just ditched its Confederate-themed state flag. Later this year, the state's voters will decide whether to dump a statewide election process that dates to the Jim Crow era.

Facing pressure from a lawsuit and the possibility of action from a federal judge, legislators are putting a state constitutional amendment on the ballot in November.

The amendment would simplify elections for governor and other statewide officials by erasing an Electoral College-type provision from Mississippi's 1890 constitution — one that was written to dilute Black voting power and maintain white control of state politics.

Mississippi is the only state with such a system for state elections.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/newslocalpolitics/mississippi-could-drop-jim-crow-era-statewide-voting-process/ar-BB16kz4J?li=BBnb7Kz

[dlk]

1. Moving into the 21st century is long overdue

I hope this measure succeeds.

[IronLionZion]

2. They have the highest % of black Americans of any state in the US

So this could have some real consequences going forward. It could force more politicians to address issues facing black Mississippians and Dems could end up winning more statewide elections. Jackson is particularly leftist for a southern city. Their mayor is a Bernie type.

[BComplex]

3. Bless their hearts!

[Bernardo de La Paz]

4. Get rid of US Electoral College. Stinks of Jim Crow even though it predates the era. . . . nt

[BlueIdaho]

5. Certainly stinks of wealthy privilege...

Removing it is long overdue.

[onetexan]

14. +1 K&R

[Tactical Peek]

6. It was a sop to the slave states.

[ancianita]

7. Yep, another 'monument' that needs toppling.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

8. Excellent way to put it. . . . nt

[splunge63]

12. Spot on

[moose65]

9. Congratulations on deflecting

You just “All Lives Matter”- ed the OP. 😆😆

[groundloop]

10. NO.... the electoral college is a real problem that heavily affects minorities.....

by tilting elections to favor conservatives. It's been shown that the electoral college tilts in favor of conservatives by 1 to 3 percent, which has handed them two presidential elections in recent times. You can't possibly argue that minorities aren't affected more than others when GOPers steal power.

[LiberalFighter]

11. If they want to improve the lives of Mississippians.

They need to do it for all and not just for the privileged.

If they want less crime they need to improve the lives of the less advantaged.
If they want greater financial opportunities they need to improve the lives of the less advantaged.

[mpcamb]

13. "erasing an Electoral College-type provision" Let's do it nationally!

A court case involving a group or a voter's will being thwarted has a chance.
It's time to find a way to do away with the electoral college.

Do we have smart enough lawyers to word it in a fashion that could win?
(This is how R's have pushed cases for their own purposes for decades.)

[not_the_one]

15. Maybe this IS the way to do it, tie it to the recent reach for "justice for all"

through the "black lives matter" movement. The general public is finally on board this freight train. Hopefully it will reach its destination.

Wording and messaging IS key.

But, since STATES are completely responsible for elections, it has to be carefully done so as to not get the republican state legislature's panties in a wad. They know it would be an attempt at taking undeserved power FROM them, yet they must understand they need to be on the right side of history on this issue. So wording and messaging is extremely important. We can't put them on the defensive (bless their hearts).

The Electoral College was an attempt to put a thumb on the balance of power in favor of slave states (a black vote = 3/5s of a vote). That must be understood by ALL, to address the EC. If they understand it is part of institutional injustice, maybe the EC can just be eliminated.

However, just getting rid of the EC still leaves the gerrymandered districts.

Gerrymandered districts affect the state legislatures, which also affect the Electoral College. If gerrymandering is addressed, the need to eliminate the EC may not be needed, since the state's fairly drawn district votes will accurately reflect the state's population's choices.

Two ways to deal with two issues. The result would be state legislatures that accurately reflect the states political make up, AND an Electoral College that accurately reflects the state's vote tallies.

It seems that gerrymandering could address the issue, then elimination of the EC as part of institutionalized racism could be accomplished just because it IS institutionalized racism. It is the right thing to do.

Am I making any sense here?

[mpcamb]

16. Know any good Constitutional lawyers?

You're right, the phrasing is key or else, go thru the states.