These four changes would help preserve our democracy

Protecting the integrity of our elections is arguably the most vital requirement for the preservation of our nation and the confidence we need to have in our representative democracy.

Here are my suggestions for improvements and safeguards.

First, we should go back to using paper ballots.

Voting machines are too easily compromised by those who would steal an election. These machines are expensive and have to be replaced often to keep up with galloping technology. Paper ballots require manual counting, but that can be done. The ballots can be preserved in case a recount is required.

Second, we should adopt systems known as ranked-choice and open-ballot voting in primary elections.

Why should we have to vote for just Republicans or just Democrats in primaries?

Ranked-choice voting allows voters to rank the candidates; if no one gets 50 percent of the vote, the last-place finisher is eliminated, and that candidate’s votes are distributed according to voters’ second-place votes; this eliminates the need for a runoff.

With an open ballot, voters can select from among the Republicans for one office and the Democrats for another. Campaigns tend to be less strident and extreme because candidates need broad support.

Only a few states use these systems, but others are considering them.

Third, we need to appoint an independent commission with qualified social scientists instead of politicians to redraw our congressional and legislative districts. The problem of gerrymandering is rampant and causes districts to be drawn in a way to predetermine election results.

Fourth, we need to allow our Electoral College votes to be split proportionally, so there will not be a winner-take-all system, especially in close elections. Nebraska and Maine already do this.

Article II of the United States Constitution allows each state to appoint electors “in such manner as the Legislature may direct.” The Supreme Court ruled in Bush v. Gore that a Legislature can take back the power to appoint electors at any time.

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