Improve how we elect representatives

Last year, Utah Democrats trumpeted the fact that nearly 35,000 people participated in their primary, exceeding expectations. Republican Party Chairman Joe Cannon told a reporter: "As Republicans, we believe in the two-party system, and we're glad there are 35,000 Democrats."

Although more than 10 times as many Utahns voted for the Democrats' losing gubernatorial candidate, Chairman Cannon's statement of support for the two-party system is like Microsoft supporting intellectual property laws that protect its dominance in the operating system market: Both defend rules that give them an unfair advantage over their competitors.

Similarly, Libertarians recognize that the electoral dynamics of single-member districts foster a two-party system that effectively prevents us from winning most of the legislative contests we participate in.

But "the two-party system" is not only a code phrase for excluding Libertarians and members of other parties from meaningful participation in Utah politics.

"The two-party system" is also a code phrase for holding back the number of women, and ethnic and religious minorities, who would otherwise be elected to city councils, county commissions, and the state Legislature if Utahns used an electoral system similar to that the United States directed Afghanistan and Iraq to use for their elections.

That system, called "full representation" or "proportional representation," allows voters to elect representatives from gerrymander-proof, multimember districts. Representatives are elected in proportion to their support from voters. A party or candidate need not come in first to win a seat.

For example, if that community of interest that calls itself "Republicans" wins 60 percent of the vote, Republicans receive 60 percent of the seats. If Democrats win 40 percent of the vote, Democrats receive 40 percent of the seats. Majority rule, with proportionate minority representation.

Experience shows that in the many communities where full representation electoral systems are used, not only do more voters participate in the elections, but more women are elected as well.

Before this year's session of the Utah Legislature began, I asked Democratic state legislators to explore the adoption of these more competitive and more representative electoral systems in Utah.

While these reforms await their champions, Utahns continue to opt out of an electoral system that is increasingly perceived as unfair and unrepresentative, and therefore illegitimate. Utahns who remain engaged in the political process should work to improve how we elect our representatives for a better future.

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Fran Tully is Chair of the Libertarian Party of Utah