Approximating Democracy: A Proposal for Proportional Representation in the California Legislature

18 Pages Posted: 30 Sep 2010

See all articles by Allan Ides

Allan Ides

Loyola Law School Los Angeles

Date Written: September 28, 2010

Abstract

The State of California elects a bicameral legislature through a first-past-the-post electoral system. Beginning in 2012, the election of California state legislators will be through an open primary, two-round system. Neither of these electoral systems provides for proportional representation in the legislature. Accordingly, neither system leads to a truly representative democracy. The author recommends that the state adopt a proportional representation electoral system – specifically, a mixed-member system – as a more democratic alternative plurality/majority systems now in place or projected to be implemented in 2012. In addition, the author explains why the state legislature should be unicameral and increased in size from the current 120 legislators to 320.

Suggested Citation

Ides, Allan, Approximating Democracy: A Proposal for Proportional Representation in the California Legislature (September 28, 2010). Loyola-LA Legal Studies Paper No. 2010-42, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1684265 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1684265

Allan Ides (Contact Author)

Loyola Law School Los Angeles ( email )

919 Albany Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015-1211
United States
213-736-1464 (Phone)
213-380-3769 (Fax)

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