In the face of continued growing resentment over the Iraq War and the further crumbling of new-con dreams, the California Republican Party is taking the only actions that could possibly retain control of the presidency.
It is a long shot at best, but if successful we could be looking at another 4 years of stupidity.
In most states (Maine and Nebraska being exceptions) the entire electoral college vote goes to the candidate who manages to garner the most votes within that state. In Nebraska and Maine, two vote (representing their Senators) go to the state-wide winner while the rest of the electoral college votes are determined on the basis of congressional district winners.
According to the Secretary of State, the following initiative is in process.
Requires political parties to nominate a presidential elector from each congressional district and two additional statewide electors. Requires presidential electors to pledge that they will cast their ballots for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates who receive the plurality of votes in their congressional districts or, in the case of the statewide electors, for the candidates who receive the plurality of votes in the state. Eliminates compensation and reimbursement for travel expenses for presidential electors. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: Reduced state expenses of less than $10,000 every four years. (Initiative 07-0016.)
LWelsch mentioned this a few days ago, holding that the initiative would be unconstitutional. I don't think that it would be that simple, or else the California Democratic Party would not be focusing so much on the problem. According to the California Majority Report, they are putting forward two initiatives on their own. This is a move toward a national popular vote.
Actually, there is some merit in the Republican proposal, but not if it were to be enacted only in California. That idea is strictly a move to bolster Republican chances. If this initiative were the case in every state, we would be a step closer to a direct popular election.
If we fail to pay attention to this issue, our democracy is at risk.