Trump Illustrates the Unfairness of their electoral system

 Most Canadians would agree Donald Trump is a very poor president, but he is very conscious about their electoral system and how he can abuse it to help carry on his treacherous regime.  There are lessons for Canadians and others.

 Based on population each of the 50 states is allotted a number of voting members for the House of Representatives.  Based on the number each state is allowed they divide the population into boundaries for each representative.  With sophisticated computer information the party in power is able to design electoral districts to optimize their party's chances of winning the next election.  In Canada these decisions are made by an independent government department.

Trump realizing his popularity is declining has decided to as much as possible to change boundaries to give him theoretically another 5 representatives in Texas in time for the midterms in 2026.  Republicans are approaching Indiana with a similar request.  This means despite significant minorities (possibly a majority) the party in power can gain even more power.  

What can we learn?  In a winner take all situation it means many votes will not count.  If the party in power is able to spread their votes where they will do the most good or where the less harm can be done by an opposition party they will gain power.  For instance stack opposition voters so they win overwhelmingly in one riding, but don't win elsewhere.  Or spread likely voters around to make a difference in a wider number of districts.

In each of our existing voting districts there are differing viewpoints.  Currently with the first past the post electoral system it is likely that most can be ignored, even without monkeying with the boundaries.

Prince Edward Island when becoming part of Canada negotiated that they are guaranteed 4 members of Parliament despite their relatively small population.  I believe Quebec has been granted the right to maintain their seat count after a decennial redistribution.  Political realities amount to a need for negotiation.

Proportional Representation has many variations.  One favored method is to have a vote for a local representative in a larger area and the rest to be allocated proportional over a bigger area, possibly the whole country or a province/state or a designated district..

There could be proportional representation for each province (or state) to ensure each province has its fair share of power.  To make sure every voter's choice is respected all the provincial or state are determined by proportionate representation.

Boundaries still matter, but provincial and state borders are well established.  

Texans would be better served by letting every citizen make a choice (not necessary confined to two parties) and aligning the percentages voted by their citizens to the number of members for the House of Representatives allowed by the federal government.

In Canada with a widespread geography, one concern would be to ensure local representation it makes sense to divide the country to logical districts.  At the moment most voters are not really being counted.  We can do better. 

Check out Fair Vote Canada www.fairvote.ca  Learn more and find out how you can lend your support.