Reform Measures

Editor, Times-Union:
With multiple states in the union now gerrymandering or attempting to gerrymander their congressional districts for hyper-partisan advantage in the upcoming congressional mid-term elections, the following reform measures should be implemented:
• At-large congressional representation whether by legislative super districts or whole states should be looked into as it is impossible to gerrymander a state. This type of representation could be in addition to the current single districts.
• Implementation of the Wyoming Rule, which would increase the number of representatives for most states by basing congressional district size on the least populated in the union - Wyoming.
• Whatever color the House of Representatives shifts to in 2026 and future elections afterwards, whether a Red Republican majority or a Blue Democratic Majority or even a purple centrist majority. It should always command a 222 or higher majority (51.0%+ rule) to control that body of Congress instead of the current 218 - simple majority rule. Any governing party or coalition in this chamber should have a clear solid majority to lead instead of a precarious edge.
• Ballot access in the various states needs to be changed in order to get more third parties and independents on the ballot.
• A none of the above is acceptable option should be added to all primary and general election ballots.
• The U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and Northern Marina Islands whose residents participate in the presidential primaries should be allowed to vote in the presidential general election just as the 50 states and D.C. do. Puerto Rico should receive at least three electoral votes while the remaining territories should each get at least one electoral vote. A constitutional amendment permitting this should be passed.
• District of Columbia should not be admitted as a state into the union and receive representation in the Senate unless by a constitutional amendment due to its special status as a federal district and the nation’s capital. However, its residents should receive representation in the House of Representatives with the elevation of its non-voting delegate into a full voting representative since it is essentially a congressional district without representation.
• In the Senate the filibuster should remain in place if it does get repealed a Senate 55 rule should be adopted requiring a supermajority of Senators (55 or more) to pass legislation, nominations, budgets, etc. on a first attempt or second try. If it fails to do so only, then would a simple majority vote be allowed with the vice president casing a tie-breaking vote if necessary. This rule could even be adopted regardless of what happens to the filibuster as the Senate is meant to be a chamber of deliberation, moderation and consensus across the board where warranted and achieveable not heartily ramming through one particular agenda over the expense of everyone.
Voters should contact their representatives and senators and urge adoption of these important measures that further strengthen our constitutional republic.
Alexander Houze
Leesburg