[EL] seeking input on a paper regarding swing-voters in swing-states and the Electoral College

Hi all:

I just completed a first draft of a paper with Chris Duquette on measuring the impact of swing-voters in swing-states and the Electoral College. We are looking for constructive feedback on the paper before we edit and send out for publication consideration.

If interested in reading and offering feedback, here is the abstract and link to the paper.

Thank you.

Titles: "Swing-Voters, Swing-States, and the Distortion of the Winner-Take-All Electoral College."

Authors: Christopher M. Duquette, MITRE, David Schultz, Hamline University.

Abstract: In the United States voting is a fundamental right marked by the requirement of equal weight. This concept is best expressed by the Supreme Court in its reapportionment decisions where it mandated "one person, one vote." Yet despite this equal weight imperative, some votes count more than others. This is especially true in presidential elections where some argue that the winner-take-all method for allocating electoral votes gives disproportionate weight to some voters and states. This article presents a new method assessing the impact of swing voters within the winner-take-all method states use to allocate electoral votes. It seeks to show that such a system produces significant inequities in the voting power of citizens across states.

Paper located at: http://works.bepress.com/david_schultz/16