You asked for reform (“Consider voting system options,” Star-Advertiser, Our View, Nov. 9). More specifically, you asked for reform as being done in Washington and California, where the top two vote-getters in the primary, regardless of party, would meet in the general election. It’s an idea worth considering, but it is not the ideal.

Hawaii used to have a better system: multi-member districts for the state House and Senate, usually with three to five candidates to be elected in any one group. It was especially good for the young, lesser-known candidates, Republican or Democrat, who no longer had to win to succeed, but needed to finish high. Quite often you would see a strong Democratic district also elect one Republican, or vice versa.

Amazingly enough, it was the Republican Party that went to court to fight this and move us to single-member districts, which ultimately closed down the GOP.

You are completely right on one thing: Incumbents like the status quo. Trying to move them to change our election system is like pushing a one-ton boulder up the Pali. I promise to help.

F.M. Scotty Anderson

Waialae Nui

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