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Majorities don't necessarily win in legislative elections

North Carolina Republicans shouldn't bank on a new poll showing more voters lean their way in 2010 state legislative and congressional races.

Even if Republicans gain popular support in next year's elections, that doesn't necessarily translate to winning more seats.

Very few are truly in play because of the rigged districts designed to elect a Democrat or a Republican. Most of them favor Democrats because they were drawn by Democrats.

It's possible for most people across North Carolina to vote for Republican candidates but for Democrats to win most seats. That can be accomplished by having fewer voters in Democrat-learning districts, or bunching large majorities of Republicans in the "red" districts. You can maximize your advantage by winning by a little and losing by a lot. That's how statewide elections can be fairly close but Democrats usually win large majorities in the state legislature,

Yes, Republicans ought to do well in state legislative races next year. The state economy is still in the tank, unemployment is higher than the national average, yet Democrats still raised taxes, and Democrats are saddled with one corruption scandal after another. But I still doubt they'll lose their majorities in the state House and Senate. Sure, most voters across the state might back Republican legislative candidates, but they're gerrymandered into too few districts to make enough of a difference.

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Posted by Doug Clark on Sunday, November 22, 2009 at 6:27 pm

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tonymo

November 23, 2009 - 10:21 am EST

"The state economy is still in the tank, unemployment is higher than the national average, yet Democrats still raised taxes, and Democrats are saddled with one corruption scandal after another, but I doubt they'll lose their majorities."

Good Lord, man, what does that say about the fools that litter this state? So you Democrats will vote for a Democrat no matter how adversely they affect your life. That's idiotic, self-destructive, and a "testament" to the almost complete failure of our overpriced government schools, and the monopoly they enjoy.

Add this to the point in your previous blog and you find that we have to change the rules for voting. Every election we rerad about the need for a higher turn out. WRONG! We need a more educated, more informed turn out. First, one should be required to pay some minimum amount of income tax to prevent them from voting goodies for themselves paid for by someone else.

Next, one should be required to exhibit some basic knowledge of the issues being debated (Hope & Change are platitudes, not issues!), and not just having a D before the candidates name! I wonder how many folks who have lost jobs will still go in pull that straight D lever on election day. Then what will they do when their unemployment benefits finally end, if they ever do!

Doug

November 23, 2009 - 10:39 am EST

That was called the poll tax and literacy test. Kind of unconstitutional.

Better to have election districts drawn by an impartial panel with the idea of creating competitive elections.

That would be good for voters and for democracy, but it's not what the powers-that-be in Raleigh want.

tonymo

November 23, 2009 - 3:07 pm EST

Oh, so all of a sudden there is concern for the Constitution! Rep. James Clyburn, # 4 ranked member of congress when asked where in the Constitution does it authorize congress to require citizens to purchase health insurance.

He replied that it's not there, just like almost everything we do now is not there!

Doug

November 23, 2009 - 3:37 pm EST

"The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay poll tax or other tax." -- 24th amendment.

That's what the constitution says. What it doesn't say amounts to a universe of stuff that governments do, for better or worse.