The Problem
The Statehood Relegation Project has been founded to address a problem, created in the 18th century by the writers of the US Constitution, which severely diminishes representative democracy in the United States. Specifically, we refer to the United States Senate and the Electoral College. These antique political contraptions may have sufficed for the 1700's but in the Modern World there is a need for something closer to genuine democracy. One of the hallmarks of genuine democracy is that each vote has equal weight. The two Constitutional Institutions referred to above are, in fact, vote weighting mechanisms, one more so than the other.
Two Chamber Solution
In the late 1780's, delegates gathered in Philadelphia to address the problems presented by the Articles of Confederation, a document that was the first effort to unite the newly independent colonies. Under the Articles each of the states had one vote in the Congress.
Dangers and Trends
It has become abundantly clear that mechanisms built into Constitutional compromises contrived over 200 years ago are dangerous anti-democratic devices.
Theoretical Possibilities
The Project keenly feels that the exploration of what could theoretically occur as a State became smaller and smaller in terms of its population as a percentage of the total population of the United States is altogether fitting. We think it is proper to ask the question: "How small can a State's population become and have it still enjoy the rights, privileges and powers of Statehood?". How would you answer this question?
A Proposed Solution
Amend the United States Constitution to provide for the Relegation of States with extremely small voting populations to Territorial Status.
The Amendment Itself
Amendment xx - Statehood Relegation
1) Any state whose total Presidential popular vote fails to equal or exceed one quarter of one per cent of the total National Popular Vote in two successive Presidential elections shall be relegated to territorial status.
2) Such a state shall be deemed a Federal Territory. As such, the Secretary of the Interior shall appoint a Territorial Governor who shall serve at the convenience of the Secretary. The Territorial Governor shall be a natural-born citizen of the United States and a citizen of no other dominion, country or nation.
3) Such a territory shall be allowed to elect one non-voting advisory member to the House of Representatives. Such a territory will have no representation in the United States Senate nor shall it provide any Electors for Presidential Elections.
4) Such a territory may be considered for readmission to Statehood after a period of 16 years and only after its actual population reaches one and a half percent of the total National Population as ascertained by a National Census.
Map of United States Voting Patterns by States
