Presidential voting process unpredictable

MONTPELIER, Vt., Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Lawmakers and voting rights advocates are working to find a process that reflects public preferences, even as the U.S. presidential campaign advances.

State Democratic leaders from around the country are meeting this weekend in Vermont to discuss electoral college issues that perplex both Republicans and Democrats alike, The New York Times reported Saturday.

Leaders from both parties are frustrated by a system that marginalizes many states, leading to a game of leapfrog in the scheduling of presidential primaries and caucus dates. Last Thursday, for example, Republicans in South Carolina moved their primary to January from February to leap ahead of Florida’s primary.

“There are different political fires all over the place,” said Democratic spokesman Art Torres, noting each maneuver in each state adds to the unpredictability of an already complex national election season.

 The focus on changing the way the president is elected was largely initiated by Democrats after the 2000 election, but since has been embraced by Republicans. In 2000, Democratic candidate Al Gore won the popular vote but lost the election to Republican George W. Bush in an electoral college vote.