Single choice plurality voting results in the rapid evolution and maintenance of a duopoly no matter what the party platform. Without changes to our electoral process - often opposed by the duopoly - third parties and independents will not be able to compete. Single seat districts should be combined to form larger, multi-seat districts and proportional representation should fill the seats.
The only viable, or at least cost effective, solution to our polarized duopoly is electoral reform. Specifically cardinal ("rated") voting methods such as score voting, approval voting, and STAR voting.
There's also growing evidence that the complementary component to such alternative voting methods is "sortition", or variants thereof. Essentially the legislative version of juries.
I absolutely agree that cardinal voting is one of the keys to addressing the fact that partisanship is the biggest enemy of good policy making that we have. Adding multi-representative districts to a cardinal voting method is also the best solution to the problem of gerrymandering in district management. Nebraska has proven that a non-partisan legislature is the most effective way to achieve good policy.
Great article from a great guy and wonderful man. Thank you for all you do to ensure the Oregon Way of life.
Single choice plurality voting results in the rapid evolution and maintenance of a duopoly no matter what the party platform. Without changes to our electoral process - often opposed by the duopoly - third parties and independents will not be able to compete. Single seat districts should be combined to form larger, multi-seat districts and proportional representation should fill the seats.
The only viable, or at least cost effective, solution to our polarized duopoly is electoral reform. Specifically cardinal ("rated") voting methods such as score voting, approval voting, and STAR voting.
https://asitoughttobe.wordpress.com/2010/07/18/score-voting/
There's also growing evidence that the complementary component to such alternative voting methods is "sortition", or variants thereof. Essentially the legislative version of juries.
https://www.climateassembly.uk/
Clay Shentrup
Portland
Clay,
I absolutely agree that cardinal voting is one of the keys to addressing the fact that partisanship is the biggest enemy of good policy making that we have. Adding multi-representative districts to a cardinal voting method is also the best solution to the problem of gerrymandering in district management. Nebraska has proven that a non-partisan legislature is the most effective way to achieve good policy.