Sparked by the July 18 letter, “Popular vote bill paves the way for progress,” I encourage people to look further.

Many are frustrated with our election system and its results. Suggesting a popular vote is, in part, stating that we need to do things differently. Many agree with that. While using a popular vote seems an improvement, it still allows for domination of some and marginalization of others. We can still end up with a government filled people we really did not want.

I encourage people to look at proportional representation. Proportional representation leads to inclusion of all groups by offering a choice of representatives who, if not an individual’s first choice, are at least a second or third choice out of all possibilities.

In our current system, we seem often to end up with representatives whom a large number of people did not want. Places where proportional representation methods are used tend to be happier with their governments. Don’t trust me, look it up.

William Newton
Portland