January 16, 2026
Math meets mudslinging
Fix the two-party system with proportional representation
Minnesota’s PR pitch ignites math nerds, RCV loyalists, and willpower warriors
TLDR: Minnesota’s proposal to elect multiple lawmakers per district based on party vote share sparked big debate. Commenters say it’s smart but unlikely, split between proportional representation and ranked-choice voting, with some arguing any change—even imperfect—matters if it proves the system can evolve.
Minnesota’s “Peoples Act” drops a spicy fix: proportional representation (PR), where you vote for a party and seats get split by vote share. The pitch: replace legislative districts with bigger congressional ones and elect 8–16 lawmakers per district, aiming for a “Goldilocks” sweet spot of fairness. The article’s math chart shows what many feel daily: with only one seat per district, minority parties vanish; with more seats, even 1% groups like Socialists finally show up—cue memes about “getting 2% seats with 1% votes.” PR fans say democracy gets real when districts elect multiple reps; critics ask if this is doable, not just clever.
Comments erupted. Tedkimble geeks out on the math. Jamesgill slams the brakes with ideas are cheap—political will is the problem, sparking a chorus of nods. Jawns starts the cage match: PR vs ranked-choice voting, arguing RCV (ranking candidates instead of picking one) is the only reform with a shot. Jerlam grumbles Minnesota already has too many politicians for six million people, while others note the plan actually trims seats slightly. Then cmuguythrow drops the grenade: try change even if it’s worse, just to prove the process can evolve. It’s math class meets reality TV—bike-shedding Olympics, coalition jokes, and a very Midwest “sure, but will it happen?” energy.
Key Points
- •The article proposes proportional representation for Minnesota, replacing single-member districts with multi-member districts where voters choose parties and seats are allocated proportionally.
- •An example with 1,000 votes shows minority parties gain representation only when districts elect multiple members; a 1% party secures a seat around 50 representatives per district.
- •The author argues 8–16 representatives per district best balance fair minority representation against logistical and cost considerations.
- •Implementation suggestion: use Minnesota’s existing congressional districts, electing eight senators and 16 representatives per district.
- •The plan would reduce the Minnesota Senate from 67 to 64 seats and the House from 134 to 128, and is linked to The Peoples Act and advocated by the Agrarian party.