At large council elections by themselves will not increase the number of minorities but would most likely have the reverse effect. Numerous studies have shown that at-large districts lead to under representation of minority interests. This is the reasoning behind the Supreme Court rulings that at-large Congressional elections are discriminatory (except when a state has only one representative, of course). Anyone advocating for minority interests, be they racial or ideological, should reject at-large only representation schemes outright. The only way minority interests will be fairly represented under such a system is if it were coupled with some form of Proportional Representation.
Geographical-based representation has problems representing differing interests when the issue is not easily transferred to geographical divisions. It is very good in the case of issues that are. Single member districts strengthen two party systems. The current systems have problems but we should not change to a worse system just for the sake of change. Darrell Gerber Kingfield > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf > Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Monday, December 06, 2004 9:40 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: [Mpls] At-Large City Council Members > > David Brauer writes: > > "Tell me this isn't a recipe for Southwest Minneapolitans to be > over-represented on the Council. While most voters would live elsewhere > and > could vote those geographic interests, I still think it tilts the field > too > heavily toward those with dough (or connections to it) and against > "regular > folks" candidacies." > > I struggle with this one. On the one hand at-large council members could > increase the number of minorities (or Greens or Independents, etc.) on the > city > council. You could have a Johnson-Lee or Samuels as an at-large member. On > the other hand, you could have, as David suggests, a number of southwest > political activists dominate the city council. But, I am leaning towards > giving > at-large a chance with the hope that folks outside southwest could get > their > stuff together enough to run credible campaigns. > > Bill Dooley > Kenny > > > > REMINDERS: > 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at > [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. > 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. > > For state and national discussions see: http://e- > democracy.org/discuss.html > For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract > ________________________________ > > Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E- > Democracy > Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
