Idea for Michigan and Florida Primaries: Do-Over Primary by Lottery

[Ian David]

Pick 200 registered Democrats, completely at random, from each voting district, in both Michigan and Florida.

The first 100 who show up to vote in each district get to vote. This is because I am assuming that a sizable percentage who receive the call to vote won't actually show up.

Keep the names of the lottery winners secret, so they cannot be lobbied by either campaign before they cast their votes.

In fact, make it one of the rules, that neither candidate is allowed to campaign, solicit, lobby or offer footrubs to anyone in those states once the lottery is picked.

The lottery could be done by computer, by Price Waterhouse, or simply by dumping all the vote registration forms in a dumptruck and choosing the first ones that fall out.

Personally, I'm partial to Hillary and Obama each standing inside a big plexiglass cube while a giant fan blows voter registration forms around the air while they try and catch them.

You'd only need one polling place per district, and you'd be counting thousands of votes as opposed to tens of millions.

By doing this, you reduce the size, complexity and scope of what would be required for running a full-blown primary.

[RoadRage]

1. I don't agree with the "No Campaigning"..

How is that different then what already happened in Florida? Campaigning is frankly what helps Obama in almost every situation.

And, rather then a random drawing from a selected district - i'd rather see a random drawing of various demographics. If 50% of a district is black - then I want 50% of blacks picked. If 28% are white over 60 - then that's how many should be choosen.

I agree - don't let either candidate know who was picked (obviously), but still have them campaign to everyone. In fact - if only 100 out of 200 (or whatever) get to vote - then call or mail the chosen "voters" the night before the election so there is little time for fraud.

It's a nice idea in theory.. but unfortunately it has no chance at passing. It still "disinfranchises" the millions who don't get to cast their votes. And one side will certainly call fraud - especially if polling showed there side to win, but they don't.

I do like you're thinking outside the box though!

[Ian David]

3. Campaigning BEFORE the lottery, which would be something like 2-3 days before the election.

If 50% of a district is black, then it is statistically like that 50% of those picked entirely at random will be black.

[Tribetime]

2. the plexiglas idea is good

I just don't see how they can do a revote now. I wish they could have worked it out earlier. I say get all the states super delegates together, have them cast their votes, multiply it by the national average person to delegate ratio. Then you would have a %,delegate count and popular vote. Nobody would agree to it.

[Johnny__Motown]

4. Either you read way to much Issac Asimov (which I don't believe is possible) or you need to

think this thing through a bit more


It can't possibly be constitutional. (referring to state constitutions)



I say we hold a closed democratic caucus in MI for the pledged delegates, seat FL delegate with 1/2 vote each and strip all the super delegates from both states since they deserve to be punished.


P.S. In the Asimov story only one person was chosen at random.... asked a serious of questions about such things as the price of eggs.... and a computer decided who won based on those answers. It was all secret so even the politicians campaigning had no idea how the process worked.

[rgbecker]

5. More in keeping with the times and just as unlikely to happen...

Whoever shows up willing to blow themselves up as a suicide bomber gets his candidate a delegate. If one candidate has more delegates by a certain time limit, he/she is declared state winner, but delegates get to advance to the convention only if the bomber detonates himself by the date of the convention. Target of the bomber to be determined by his candidate of choice.

[AZBlue]

6. Or, we could just invite Barack and Hillary down to the Bingo Hall on Wednesday night and

the first one who yells B-I-N-G-O is the winner!
(But they have to use the daubers, not the automated machines!)

[seasat]

7. How about an essay contest on property tax reform for Florida?

Have it judged by 60 year old elementary school teachers. Split the delegates according to percent of total points scored. Deduct points for pandering to special interests nearly as much as the FL legislature. Deduct points for cowardly proposals that don't actually correct the problem but are politically safe (We'll call that Amendment 1 rule...fellow Floridians know what I'm talking about.) Give bonus points for carrying your essay to the Florida legislature and beating them over the head with it until they come to their senses. Double special bonus points if while persuading the legislators, you have to physically spank Rhonda Storms and/or Marco Rubio.