WTF406 is presenting both sides of the CI-126/CI-127 ballot initiatives to help our readers make a decision this election.
This year’s election is fast approaching. The air waves are full of ads from candidates, drowning out news about the initiatives that are on our ballot. Voters will receive a voter information pamphlet before the election, and I encourage you to read the pros and cons of these initiatives. Two of the constitutional initiatives would drastically change our election process: CI 126 and CI 127.
CI 126 changes Montana’s long-established primary election by creating a jungle primary. Instead of the voter choosing which primary ballot they want, there will be one ballot with candidates from all eligible parties including Independents. The Top 4 vote getters will move on to the general election. The initiative leaves it up to the Legislature and governor to decide the process for how candidates get on the primary ballot. The initiative also leaves it up to the Legislature and governor to decide how to break a tie.
CI 127 changes Montana’s long-established general election rules by requiring the winning candidate to get the majority of votes. If no candidate gets the majority of the votes, the Legislature and governor will decide a process for choosing the winner.
I would be less concerned if these undefined processes weren’t left to representatives often concerned with party politics to iron out. Voters should know what we’re really getting.
In addition to the confusing processes, both initiatives deserve a clearly defined, transparent process. They are concerning for several other reasons and won’t adequately address today’s political divisiveness, which is the intended goal.
Already over the last couple of Legislative Sessions, several bills that changed our election process were passed. However, most of these bills were challenged on the basis that they were not allowed by our Constitution, and the Supreme Court agreed, by overturning the bills. It is alarming to think that, if these initiatives pass, a Legislature that tried to create unconstitutional election processes would design the outcome of our election process.
These initiatives also create several other problems. If 126 passes and 127 doesn’t we could have an election where only 26% of the voters select our leader. It also provides lots of opportunities for shenanigans. The GOP party has been notorious for getting someone to file as a Green party candidate to steal votes from the Democrat candidate. If 126 passes they will recruit 1 or 2 of their own to run as a Democrat to steal votes from the legitimate Democrat candidate. Yes, I know the Democratic could do the same thing. If 127 passes, how will we decide the winner if one candidate doesn’t get more than 50% of the vote? We don’t know because the legislature and governor get to decide. Will it be rank choice, or will it be an expensive, time-consuming runoff election or will the legislature/governor decide the winner? Either way will most likely have less voters choose the winner than the current system. Runoff elections generally have lower turnouts so less voters could decide the winner. After election day who really wants to have more days of campaign ads, calls and fundraising besides the loser. Please vote no on 126 and 127.
Some have tried to suggest that this new election process would alleviate the divisiveness we are experiencing in politics today. This process doesn’t get to the root of the problem. A major cause of this divisiveness is the repeal of the Fairness Doctrine by President Reagan. The Fairness Doctrine required news outlets to report both sides of an issue truthfully. Soon after it was repealed, Fox Entertainment changed its name to FOX News and began misleading listeners with sensationalized, one-sided false narratives. Many other networks started “news” programs to compete for airtime, and the term “fake news” became part of our lives. About the same time, Texas Congressman Tom Delay started a nationwide movement to gerrymander districts. He eventually went to jail, but we still suffer the consequences today.
Following the Delay playbook, the 1990 redistricting committee in Montana redrew our legislative districts. The result created numerous “safe” districts for both Democrats and Republicans. These safe districts almost guarantee that one party (or the other) wins that district. Today, we still have several safe districts for both parties. This has allowed extreme candidates from each party to win an election. Once elected, they don’t have to govern because they know they will be reelected by their party in their “safe” district. In the last few elections, the Tea Party has successfully primaried moderate Republicans. The Tea Party’s antigovernment philosophy has created havoc and gridlock. The moderate Republicans have viewed the jungle primary and majority vote as a solution to this problem.
The solution to divisiveness would be better if it focused at the root of the problems. Bring back the Fairness Doctrine requiring the “news” to report both sides of an issue truthfully. Eliminate the gerrymandered districts by recreating swing districts that will require candidates to appeal to all voters and not just their party.
-Walter Schweitzer