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Mercury NewsDemocrats target electoral-vote plan that could tilt 2008 race
By MICHAEL R. BLOOD Associated Press Writer
Article Launched: 08/16/2007 04:13:18 PM PDT
LOS ANGELES—Democrats are preparing to raise millions of dollars to defeat a California ballot proposal they fear could tilt the 2008 presidential election in favor of the Republican nominee.
The quick move to begin raising cash underscores the proposal's potential appeal in a state with an abundance of fickle, independent-minded voters. The plan would upend a winner-take-all system for awarding the state's 55 electoral votes in presidential elections—a prize claimed by Democratic candidates in the last four elections.
Instead, the statewide winner would get only two electoral votes—the rest would be allocated according to results in each of the state's 53 congressional districts. Because 19 of the districts are represented by Republicans, that would be an open door for a GOP candidate to pick up those votes. President Bush carried 22 districts in 2004 while losing the statewide vote by double digits.
Supporters say the initiative—if it qualifies for the June primary ballot and is approved by voters—would mark a new era of fairness in presidential contests. But Democrats call it a power grab aimed at skewing the 2008 election.
It's "another cynical move to keep the presidency in Republican control," Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer said in a joint statement.
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