ELECTORAL AND GOVERNMENTAL CHANGES
97
"This system does not always insure a majority of all votes cast but it does insure the nomination of a candidate who represents the majority sentiment of the party as regards party principles. Let us illustrate by showing what can happen under the present law, where a first choice alone counts and the high man is nominated, all of the rest being 'eliminated.' To begin with, remember that the present primary is, in effect, a party convention to which all party voters are delegates entitled to one vote on the only 'roll call' allowed. The man who receives the highest vote on this 'first ballot' (the primary vote) is the nominee of the party.
"Let us suppose there were three tariff reform republican candidates and one stand-pat republican candidate in a congressional district… and 3000 stand-pat republicans. At the primary the result could reasonably be supposed to be as follows:—
A — Stand-pat candidate
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
|
3000 |
B — Tariff reform candidate
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|
2500 |
C — Tariff reform candidate
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|
2500 |
D — Tariff reform candidate
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|
2500 |