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New York Times
America Votes Today. Will
You?
Letters
November 5, 2002
"Tuesday Night's Script" (editorial, Nov. 3) was
astute to point out how much the Democrats and the Republicans
conceal their differences from voters. But this electoral gaming is
what we should increasingly expect from our "winner take all"
electoral system.
This system allows party leaders to oversee the
political map like military generals, funneling resources into the
close races and ignoring the rest. Then, in those close races that
determine who wins control of Congress, both sides use polls and
focus groups to figure out which messages will motivate the
undecided swing voters.
Consequently, most voters and their issues are sliced
right out of the political process, contributing to low voter
engagement and turnout.
Oddly, for a national election, a handful of swing
voters in a handful of districts determines who wins Congress.
Steven Hill
San Francisco, Nov. 3, 2002
The writer is the author of a book about election
reform. |
