Two Rhode Island legislators say they will introduce a proposed state constitutional amendment in 2011, providing that when no one in a November election for federal or state office gets as much as 50% of the total vote, the state will hold a run-off in December. See this story.
One wonders if the two legislators are aware of alternate election systems that would solve the problem they perceive, without adding to the expense and probable poor voter turnout in their proposed December run-offs.
The article mentions that the Attorney General’s race last month is an example of a race in which no one got 50% in November. In that race, the vote was: Democartic 43.1%; Republican 29.0%; Moderate Party 14.4%; two independent candidates, one of whom polled 9.6% and the other 4.0%. Thanks to Tony Roza for the link.
Party hack robot incumbents are among THE most STUPID EVIL folks on earth – especially in small States like RI.
See the wiki for Dorr’s War — in RI in the early 1840s (repeat 1840s) — due to gerrymanders and an oligarchy definition of Elector back then.
P.R. and nonpartisan App.V. — even for the party hack math MORONS in RI
“One wonders if the two legislators are aware of alternate election systems that would solve the problem they perceive, without adding to the expense and probable poor voter turnout in their proposed December run-offs.”
Well duh. Runoffs are a witless idea, RI, don’t do it.