Colorado Electoral College initiative

[amjsjc]

Just heard about this (in a George Will column of all places). Is it true that Colorado wants to split it's EC votes (instead of a winner take all setup) and that the law could take place before the election? More info would be appreciated.

[NMDemDist2]

1. it is on the ballot

and we'll just have to see if it passes :)

[iwantmycountryback]

2. Yes I think that's true

That's a pretty good idea. I actually think all states should do this. It's better than in places like Utah and Mississippi Democratic votes don't count and in my home state of NY Republican votes don't count. (Yeah I know that's a good thing but things just aren't that fair right now)

[Hawkeye-X]

3. I'm from Colorado

(and we have a post re: Amendment 36 or 37, not sure) on the state forum, so you can check it out.

If this passes, and it is a 3-1 split, Kerry will carry Colorado's electoral vote while Chimp gets a small piece (6 for Kerry to 2 for Chimp) our our 8 EV's. (Or was it 9?)

[tridim]

4. It's a good idea, but

it shouldn't take effect until the election after the vote. I'm in Denver and my vote on the issue will be influenced by the latest presidential polls. If it looks like Kerry is going to win Colorado, I'll vote no (so Kerry gets all the EVs), otherwise I'll vote yes. Something about that seems wrong.

[0rganism]

5. The downside to this...

Let's say Colorado splits its 9 EVs. Suddenly, it's not worth 9 EVs to the candidates anymore, but between 3 and 6. This could cut into the amount of influence Colorado has on presidential campaigns.

Still, I do think it should be standard practice for states to split up their EVs by district with the statewide popular vote winner getting the 2 extras. Ideally, all the states would switch over to this system at once, in an off-year, but this is not Ideal World, this is bush world.