Mich. GOP pushes on with electoral vote plan; Schostak re-elected

[IDemo]

Source: Detroit News

Lansing — Republicans handed Bobby Schostak another two-year term as state chairman Saturday and overwhelmingly endorsed a plan to change Michigan presidential electoral vote rules in a way opponents charge is intended to distort election results in favor of GOP candidates.

By a 1,370-132 margin at the party convention in Lansing, GOP members approved a resolution backing a proposal from Rep. Pete Lund, R-Shelby Township, to divvy-up 14 of the state's 16 electoral votes according to which candidate got the most votes in each congressional district. The other two would go to the state-wide vote total winner.

That switch from a winner-take-all formula that has been in effect 175 years could water down the dominance Democrats have had in Michigan in presidential elections for the last 24 years.

Critics say the plan would have given Mitt Romney nine of Michigan's 16 electoral votes last year, although he lost by more than 500,00 votes to President Barack Obama state-wide. With the win, Obama captured all 16 Michigan electoral votes.

Read more: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130224/POLITICS02/302240313

[Faygo Kid]

1. Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting.

What has happened to the home state of Gerald Ford and Bill Milliken? These Republicans are absolutely wrecking that great state.

[catbyte]

5. You said it. If Snyder wants a chance at a second term, he'd better veto that atrocity. BTW,

I'm drinking a Faygo Diet Ginger Ale right now--best pop on the planet, LOL!

[annabanana]

2. Well, they've already practically disenfranchised most African Americans in Michigan.

This would just be the death blow.

[catbyte]

3. My state has gone to hell. I am heartbroken.

[tartan2]

13. That makes two of us.

And you're right, Michigan has gone to hell. I highly doubt it will ever get any better!

[deancr]

4. Criminal Intent

Even Hitler had to first win office by majority vote. Michigan Republicans have plowed new, salted ground.

Hopefully, Johnson will bring requisite new game to the Democratic party here in Michigan. Michiganders of conscience all need to find a slot and get busy.

[loudsue]

6. Just to repeat: the republicans can only win if they figure out a way to cheat.

They KNOW they are unpopular.

[Lobo27]

7. Some news reporter should ask why they don't do this

In states like Texas, or other red states that have a lot of blue districts...

[Hawaii Hiker]

8. If this plan goes thru, we basically cease to live in a democracy

Seriously....When the candiate who loses a state by 500,000 votes (as was case in Michigan in 2012) obtains more electoral votes than the rightful winner, we are no longer a democracy....

[Angry Dragon]

9. Get rid of the Electoral College -- solves the problem

[jzodda]

10. Michigan at its core is a blue state

First off this will be the end for that Gov if he signs this. Its probably the end for him no matter what.

Next this is a blue state that was hit hard by the 2008 crisis. It will be back though under Dem control soon enough and any schemes the republicans try for now they will pay for it later. It may take a more than one electoral cycle but they will eventually pay for it. If they do make this change Dems nationally will campaign on it in 2014 and 2016. Its an issue of fairness and makes republicans look like cheaters. We will tar ALL of them nationally with this label if they do this in Michigan- a blue state.

[AndyTiedye]

11. It Would be the End of the Two-Party System in the US

If the swing states do this, we will never win another Presidential election. The Rapeuglicans already have a lock on the House and 28 state legislatures due to gerrymandering. They might even be able to take the US Senate by "creative" drawing of Senatorial districts.

[yourout]

12. Senate elections are state wide.

[AndyTiedye]

14. What Would Prevent The Rapeuglicans From Changing That?

[yourout]

15. Pretty sure that would require ammending the Constitution of the United States.

That will never happen.

[MichiganVote]

16. I'd rather have Castro at this point.