The Democrat-controlled Constitution and Elections Committee in the Alabama House of Representatives made efforts this week to move Alabama from a red to purple state. The Committee, on a straight party line vote, approved legislation that would apportion presidential elector votes on a percentage basis, rather than the current winner-take-all system.
The Associated Press quoted supporters of the bill saying, “it would make people voting for the losing candidate feel like they were also a part of the process” as justification for the vote.
“When Alabama and Auburn play in the Iron Bowl, we don’t declare co-winners based upon which team won each quarter,” Rep. Mike Hubbard (R- Auburn) said in response. “Electing the leader of the free world is a serious matter, and it isn’t meant to make one party or another feel good. Alabama’s winner-take-all system has never been an issue, and there is no need to change it now.”
Hubbard noted that the bill’s sponsor, State Rep. Demetrius Newton (D-Birmingham), may be motivated more by politics than by public policy since Republican presidential candidates have carried Alabama each year since 1964, with the exception of George Wallace’s third-party win in 1968 and Jimmy Carter’s victory in 1976.
“If this bill had been in place a decade ago, Alabama’s electoral vote would have allowed Al Gore to be sworn into office in 2001,” Hubbard said. “Rather than looking for shortcuts to cheat the electoral system, the Democrats should spend their time trying to return to the mainstream on important issues if they want long-term success.”
In the 2000 presidential election, George W. Bush received 271 electoral votes - one more than needed. Under Newton's bill, Gore would have been awarded 4 of our 9 electoral votes and won the presidency. Gore got 42% of the vote in Alabama in 2000.
The GOP leader noted that the House Republican Caucus, which holds sufficient numbers to procedurally prevent legislation from being considered on the House floor, has taken an official position in opposition to this bill and will work as a group to prevent its passage.