If you're a Democrat in Virginia you can never go anywhere

[Sava]

So do you want the state to use proportional representation based on popular vote or not?

They aren't keeping anyone from voting in off years. Maybe democrats only make it to the polls when they have millions of dollars of campaign workers egging them on.

So your answer is "not".

[regexcellent]

You can't get 2/3rds of a chamber through shenanigans alone. It's clear the Republicans got a huge majority in the popular vote in 2011 in Virginia.

Oh, and what with the Democrats pushing gun control, I can't imagine things will turn out much better for them there in 2013.

[Hauldren Collider]

So your answer is "not".

No, my answer is yes:

If I could wave my magic wand, the House of Delegates would be a proportional legislature and the Senate would stay as a district legislature.

I'd also probably turn the Northern Virginia and Virginia Beach senate districts into one multi-member district.

[Sava]

No, my answer is yes:

You can't have it both ways. Preferring only off year elections is somewhat of a dirty trick... if only a passive one.

Are you against having such issues decided by a vote when the maximum possible voter turnout is expected?

[Sava]

You can't get 2/3rds of a chamber through shenanigans alone. It's clear the Republicans got a huge majority in the popular vote in 2011 in Virginia.

Please address the notion of deciding such elections with maximum voter turnout.

[Hauldren Collider]

Please address the notion of deciding such elections with maximum voter turnout.

This is not the question you asked, idiot. Please stop moving the goalposts.

I have no problem with off year state elections. Most people don't pay attention to them, particularly when there is a national campaign going on. I'd rather have voters be informed, and only vote if they are informed. If that means lower turnout, that's OK by me.

If you're too lazy to get your ass out to vote unless repeatedly prodded by a multimillion dollar machine, you shouldn't vote.

[Sava]

This is not the question you asked, idiot.

My second reply to the thread directly referenced the issue of popular vote and electoral fairness.

If you're too lazy to get your ass out to vote unless repeatedly prodded by a multimillion dollar machine

Are you advocating for publicly financed campaigns? Also, not everyone has the time and effort to dedicate their waking lives towards following politics. Having said that, one would almost need to be actively involved in politics in order to be informed in that manner. That either means public or private sector work in the industry. Such large organizations would certainly need to be multimillion dollar machines. Do you disagree?

[Sava]

I have no problem with off year state elections.

Observing the current system, it seems off year state elections give rise to disproportionate results compared to elections with larger voter turnout. State politicians are able to influence the results of national elections in the form of gerrymandering... "moving the goalposts", if you will. Are you against giving state officials the power to draw districts?

[regexcellent]

He's not advocating for publicly financed campaigns or other ridiculous limits on speech. He's saying that off-year elections are no less democratic and if only people who care about an election actually turn out that's a better result than higher turnout. Switzerland has super low turnout because they have elections like every four days, and it's perfectly democratic.

[Hauldren Collider]

You need to stop putting words in my mouth, Sava. Also, what reg said.

[Sava]

He's not advocating for publicly financed campaigns or other ridiculous limits on speech. He's saying that off-year elections are no less democratic and if only people who care about an election actually turn out that's a better result than higher turnout. Switzerland has super low turnout because they have elections like every four days, and it's perfectly democratic.

He just said voters shouldn't be prodded by a multimillion dollar machine. The alternative to large political machines is public campaign finance.

Nobody gives a **** about Switzerland. We're talking about AMURICA

[Hauldren Collider]

There are a lot of things that shouldn't happen but do happen in elections, but that doesn't mean it would be better for the government to ban them. Christ.

[Sava]

You need to stop putting words in my mouth, Sava. Also, what reg said.

I'm asking clarifying questions because, as you said, I'm an idiot.

Do you imagine the words coming out of my mouth to be your words? Can you quote a specific example in this thread where I attributed a statement to you incorrectly?

Why are you afraid of answering my questions?

[regexcellent]

He's not saying he has a problem with a multimillion dollar machine. He's saying he doesn't have a problem with its absence.

[Sava]

There are a lot of things that shouldn't happen but do happen in elections, but that doesn't mean it would be better for the government to ban them. Christ.

Who said anything about banning anything? Jesus certainly didn't.