[Pnp-wg] represntation

[Mark Swaney]

Greens,

As a suggestion, and something to consider, would it not be reasonable to
apportion to each state Green Party a number of delegates proportional to
the *demonstrated Green voting strength* in each state?  

In addition, what about a minimum of one or two delegates for every
accredited state party - so that in using a proportional rule we do not
exclude from participation any state party.  This just seems reasonable to
me.

I believe that all the states have accurate numbers of the Green voting
strength in any recent election.  We could consider using those numbers and
give the state parties the choice of which Green candidate they want to use
for calibration, (in a state-wide race) for example using the vote for Cobb
in the last election, or alternatively, using the vote for a governor's
candidate, which ever the state party believes demonstrates the most votes
for a Green candidate.

This proposal it seems to me has some advantages,

1.  The proposal envisions a national system that will not involve violating
state "autonomy" and uses a standard apples-to-apples rule for every state
that will allow for proportional representation.  With this system, no
complaints of king-making or mal-apportioned delegates can fairly be made.

2.  The proposed rule is based on the measure that *counts* - Green voting
strength.  

Trying to go by the "size of the party" - such as the criticism that Indiana
has only 24 members but got 10 delegates is not reasonable. The number of
steady committed hard workers (the "24") is not at all a reasonable measure
of the true result we are all aiming for - namely votes for Green
candidates.  

Democrats and Republicans number in the millions, yet the number of Dem or
Rep voters that attend meetings, devote their lives to politics, etc. is
very much smaller, and this unavoidable fact will, and does, also apply to
the GPUS.

As I understand it, or aim is to elect candidates to office, not merely to
inflate our "membership".  If we make the standard for representation based
on the outcome we seek, we will encourage the state parties to do that which
they should do - run candidates and increase the voting strength of the GP
in their states.

It is not much use to have state parties that focus on membership numbers
while doing a poor job of running or supporting candidates for office.

This is only an idea for consideration, just something to think about.

Mark Swaney