Electoral College reform
UMRA member Mark Bohnhorst retired in 2016 from the Office of the General Counsel, where he provided legal advice and support to the U’s scientific research mission for 24 years.
Kathryn Pearson’s outstanding UMRA Forum presentation on November 24 about the 2020 elections ended with a brief exchange about Electoral College reform. As it happens, I have been immersed in this subject for the last four years and would like to offer this update.
Reforming the Electoral College by action at the state level has been an active topic of discussion and advocacy for 20 years. The lead proposal since 2006 is an interstate compact promoted by National Popular Vote (NPV).
The compact would go into effect when states with a total of 270 electoral votes have joined. Currently, states with a total of 196 electoral votes have done so. NPV hosted a webinar, “270 by 2024,” in mid-November to discuss prospects for success. With the recent change in composition of the Supreme Court, there is a danger that use of the initiative to enact the compact could be struck down. The issue turns on the definition of “legislature” in the Constitution.
Voter Choice Ballot
My advocacy has been for “state-by-state” measures that would take effect immediately. In 2017, then-State Representative Paul Thissen and then-Congressman Keith Ellison agreed. A national group, Making Every Vote Count, endorses this approach and has come up with a new proposal, Voter Choice Ballot (VCB).
Under VCB, individual voters are given the choice of casting ballots for the winner of the nationwide vote. This might be particularly attractive to independent or moderate voters—whom Kathryn Pearson indicated are a large slice of the electorate. In addition, VCB does not change the state winner-take-all basis of appointing electors (which the “legislature” may “direct”), and use of this initiative is far less subject to constitutional challenge.
The Library on the Making Every Vote Count website has articles I have written on several topics, including the constitutionality of the initiative, the 20-year history of the reform movement, race and the Electoral College, and prospects for change.
—Mark Bohnhorst, chair, Presidential Elections Team at Minnesota Citizens for Clean Elections
News
Make your own discoveries in Portugal in 2025 on this journey to medieval monasteries, fertile vineyards and cities that are equal parts history and modern energy. Deadline to express an interest is Friday June 7, 2024.
Spend eight nights in Madrid and Barcelona in 2025. Express your interest by June 7, 2024.
Embrace the colorful history of the Canadian Maritime provinces for 11 nights in 2025. Express your interest by June 7, 2024.
Spend four nights in Québec City in 2025. Express your interest by June 7, 2024.
Spend 9 nights on the Douro River in Portugal in 2025. Express your interest by June 7, 2024.
Embrace and explore Mexico City as it showcases all facets of Mexico’s national character in 2025. Deadline to express an interest is Friday, June 7, 2024.
Bright and bold living history awaits you in beautiful St. Augustine, Florida in 2025. Express your interest by June 7, 2024.
The election of UMRA officers and new board members for 2024–25 will be conducted via an online poll from May 13 to 19, with the results to be announced at our annual meeting on May 21. Look for the ballot in your email inbox on May 13. Diane Young has been nominated to be president-elect.
“I convinced myself I could handle this problem without support groups or doing additional research, but that’s only because I didn’t want to make it any more real than it already was. Denial comes in many forms, and one is to avoid thinking about the problem any more than need be.” —Alice A. Larson
Meet UMRA member Peter Moe. He retired in 2023 after a career that spanned nearly half a century at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, and is credited with developing the “Arb” into one of the few in the U.S. with world-class fruit and landscape breeding programs.
The University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) has welcomed two new members with valuable skills and experience to the URVC Leadership Council: Lynn Slifer and Jeanne Jacobson.
The University plans to remove retirees from the @umn.edu internet identity domain on December 7. UMRA has advocated for ensuring continued access to this identity (including email, Google Workspace, and associated services), citing University retirees’ enduring contributions to and engagement with the University. Thus far, our efforts have not prompted any change of plans.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to explore your photographic interests, hone your photographic skills, and hear what other retirees are up to, the UMRA Photo Club is a great place to be. We have fun! And whatever your skill level, there is room for everybody.
Leading the online Journal of Opinions, Ideas & Essays has been a labor of love for Kris Bettin. Alas, a change in family needs has necessitated her retirement. So, JOIE is seeking a new leader to join a savvy editorial committee of five and bring fresh ideas for continued development of the UMRA-sponsored journal.
Soon you will receive an email or letter inviting you to renew your UMRA membership for the 2024–25 year. Please renew before you get busy with your summer activities. Your support helps to make our programs and many other member benefits possible!
This will be a new regular column where you can find organizational tasks that need your help! We are currently looking for help researching a new UMRA Membership Database and URVC volunteer database, and a co-producer for UMRA's Zoom webinars. See more details: