In a revealing moment in early 2020, New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D) noted that in any other country, she and President Joe Biden wouldn't be in the same party. This observation cuts to the heart of America's democratic crisis: our antiquated winner-take-all system forces diverse political views into an artificial binary, leaving millions of Americans feeling unrepresented and disenfranchised.
The Crisis of Winner-Take-All Politics
Our current system, where congressional districts elect single representatives through plurality voting, has created a political landscape where fewer than 10% of U.S. House races were competitive in 2024. This system produces landslide victories in most districts, effectively silencing minority voices and perpetuating a cycle of polarization.
The Promise of Proportional Representation
Proportional representation (PR) offers a compelling alternative. Under PR, legislative seats are allocated based on each party's share of the vote, ensuring that political representation matches voter preferences. Analysis of Nationscape survey data suggests that given more choices, American voters would naturally organize into roughly six distinct political parties, each representing different combinations of economic and social views.
Key Benefits of Proportional Representation:
1. Enhanced Representation: PR would allow tens of millions more Americans to feel represented in Congress, particularly benefiting minority groups and voters whose views don't align perfectly with either major party.
2. Reduced Gerrymandering: Multi-member districts would effectively eliminate partisan gerrymandering, as parties would receive seats proportional to their vote share.
3. Coalition Building: PR encourages parties to build coalitions and find common ground, potentially reducing gridlock and promoting more stable governance.
The Path to Implementation
The transition to PR requires changing just eight words in federal law that currently mandate "no district to elect more than one representative." Recent initiatives show growing momentum for reform:
- Representatives Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D) and Jared Golden (D) have proposed establishing a select committee to examine electoral reforms, including PR
- Political scientists and historians have signed an open letter supporting PR adoption
- House expansion proposals align with the "cube root rule" suggesting an optimal size of 593 representatives
Enhancing Democracy: The Demeny Voting Perspective
While not addressed in current reform proposals, Demeny voting offers an interesting complement to proportional representation. Under Demeny voting, parents receive proxy votes on behalf of their minor children, potentially addressing demographic imbalances in political representation.
Advantages of Demeny Voting:
- Gives voice to future generations in current political decisions
- Increases voter turnout among parents
- Encourages long-term policy thinking
Potential Challenges:
- Questions about proper implementation and verification
- Concerns about vote concentration in certain demographics
- Constitutional considerations
State-Level Implementation Prospects
Based on historical precedent and current political climate, several states show promise for implementing proportional representation:
1. Maine: Already adopted ranked-choice voting, showing openness to electoral innovation
2. California: Large, diverse population that could benefit from multi-member districts
3. Washington: Strong history of electoral reform initiatives
4. Massachusetts: Demonstrated interest in alternative voting methods
5. Vermont: Track record of political innovation and independent thinking
The Path Forward
The implementation of proportional representation, potentially enhanced by elements of Demeny voting, represents a crucial opportunity to revitalize American democracy. The current system's shortcomings have become increasingly apparent, creating a rare moment of openness to reform.
Recommendations for Implementation:
1. Support current federal legislation examining electoral reforms
2. Advocate for state-level pilot programs of proportional representation
3. Build coalitions between reform-minded legislators across party lines
4. Educate voters about the benefits of proportional representation
5. Consider incorporating elements of Demeny voting in future reform proposals
Conclusion
J & Washington knows that the time for electoral reform is now. As our current system strains under the weight of polarization and voter dissatisfaction, proportional representation offers a proven path forward. By combining PR with innovative approaches like Demeny voting and focusing on receptive states for initial implementation, we can begin the crucial work of rebuilding American democracy for the 21st century.
Note: This analysis draws from current legislative proposals and political science research as of April 2024. Readers should verify the current status of reform initiatives.
SOURCE: Opinion: How To Fix America's Two-Party by Jesse Wegman and Lee Drutman
Mr. Wegman is a member of the Times editorial board, where he writes about democracy, law and politics. Mr. Drutman is a senior fellow at New America and the author of “Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop: The Case for Multiparty Democracy in America.”
Jan. 14, 2025
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