Cyber wrote:
"Most states don't require a majority (50% +1), a plurality is sufficient. Run-offs are just stupid anyway."
I disagree.
I proffer that no election for any office at any level, anywhere in the country be "won" unless the "winner" receives at least 50% +1 of the popular vote.
In fact, I advocate that this become part of a "re-Constituted" Constitution, with language to this effect:
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This Constitution prescribes that only citizens may vote in all elections conducted within the United States. This includes elections for federal offices of The United States, elections for State offices in the Several States, and all municipal and local elections conducted within the borders of The United States.
Elections will be conducted only on Election Day as prescribed by this Constitution.
All ballots in all elections will be paper ballots cast by individual voters at their respective polling locations. Electronic means may be used to tabulate vote counts at the local level.
Provisional ballots of any kind are prohibited by this Constitution.
Ranked Choice Voting of any kind is prohibited by this Constitution.
An election shall not be considered to be won unless the winning candidate receives a majority of the votes cast. If no candidate receives a majority, a runoff election must be held within 35 days to determine the winner.
The use of the United States Mail shall not be permitted for the collection of ballots, with the exception of absentee ballots.
There shall be no use of absentee ballots without the presentation of individual need, subject to strict scrutiny by the registrar of voters.
All citizens of the United States will be required to produce identification before voting.
All citizens of the United States are required to register to vote at least six months in advance of election day. All citizens requesting registration will be properly vetted by the registrar of voters.
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It's time to repair the oversights and omissions of the Founders (who simply could not have foreseen how the weaknesses in their document would be exploited by enemies two centuries later).
I realize that's not the consensus here.
But what we have now ... is no longer sufficient.