To: FlashReport Readers
From: Dave Gilliard, Manager, California Counts
RE: Electoral College Reform Initiative – An Update for FlashReport Readers!
Just two weeks ago, the Electoral College Reform Initiative was destined to join many other great ideas that never made the ballot due to lack of money, organization or time. Today, thanks to the generous support from donors and herculean efforts from everyone working on the measure, I am very happy to inform FlashReport readers that we are well on our way to qualifying the Electoral College Reform Initiative for the June ballot.
Here is an update:
- We have gathered a total of nearly 400,000 signatures (300,000 over the last two weeks). Our paid signature effort is proving enormously successful – so much so that we were able to decrease the price we are paying circulators on the street – an almost unprecedented situation for an initiative campaign working on deadline.
- We are getting thousands of signatures from the internet, thanks to a massive internet/email campaign from Congressman Darrell Issa.
- The California Republican Party and our CalCounts Committee have mailed petitions to a total of over 750,000 households statewide.
- Our volunteer signature efforts and $2 bounty program are starting to produce signatures and we expect some big returns from that program over the next couple of weeks.
- Polling continues to show that Californians support our Initiative. A new SurveyUSA poll shows that only 34% of voters want to keep the current winner-take-all system, while 47% support choosing delegates by congressional district. The more voters are informed about the initiative, the stronger they support it.
We need about 434,000 valid signatures to qualify this initiative. Our goal remains to submit well over 600,000 signatures before the end of the month. We are well on our way, but we need everyone to double their efforts to help us put the Electoral College Reform Initiative before voters in June. Please visit www.CalCounts.com to contribute to the campaign, download a petition, or see the latest news on our efforts.
Thank you!
November 7th, 2007 at 12:00 am
This scheme, if on the ballot, will go down in flames. For the people of California the choice will be Bush & Cheney urge a Yes vote and Democrats & Independents urge a No vote and stop the War in Iraq, Vote No. Bob Mulholland
November 8th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Bob, you don’t actually think Bush/Cheney will be out on the campaign trail this year do you? Their participation will be limited at best, go find another target because I will guarantee they will not be trotted out to speak on behalf of this. Had Florida, Texas and Ohio done this Bush never would have won an election!