Senator Florez did not have high hopes for her conversation with Nebraska’s Globalist governor, Biff Alexander.  With just two weeks remaining before the vote, he had not taken a public position on the Amendment, instead deferring to the “will of the Nebraska people.”  And, sure enough, his interest today unfortunately appeared to be entirely intellectual rather than political.

The Globalist party was sometimes described as the “Non-Nationalist” party—it of course supported global issues and global coordination, but it also had a strongly communitarian, “localist” ideology that was often antagonistic to Federal heavy-handedness.

Alexander listened to Florez’ pitch, and smiled.  “Eva, I can see some interesting, profound effects.  I think if the Amendment passes, it’ll really change the psychology.  I think most people will feel a new compulsion to understand the national issues.  Not in order to pass the test, that’s not what I mean.  But that they’ll feel like it’s more of a duty to know, that it’s a serious responsibility.  If you become a supervoter, it becomes part of who you are, and you want to do it right.”

Florez lit up.  “Precisely!  And why wouldn’t that lead to more effective government? More rational, I mean.”

Alexander cocked his head.  “It well might.  I’m honestly not sure whether it’d make a substantive difference.  It certainly might.  But, I don’t know, national and global government?  It really takes professionals.  Do we really want non-professionals meddling in decisions that they can’t possibly be qualified to make?”

“No, no, it’s nothing like that,” countered Florez.  “It’ll always be professionals making the decisions, but now there will be more political will to do the right thing, to take on the hard problems, because the more informed voters are behind them.”

“Maybe so,” said Alexander.  “Like I say, I don’t know.  But... what are your views about the non-supervoters, what about their perspective?”

“Of course,” said Florez cautiously.  “And their role in society isn’t diminished at all.  In my view.  Not everyone needs to devote all that effort to being politically informed, that’s even an economic negative.  People will just self-select.”

“And maybe non-supervoters will even decide that they shouldn’t vote.”

Florez smiled indulgently.  “We both know that’s a likely outcome, and we both know it’s political poison to talk about it.  But you and I know—or at least, will you admit, that the political scientists see that as a complementary effect?”

“Certainly I’ve heard and considered that,” said Alexander affably.  “Sure, if the goal is to favor informed voters, that’s in line. In fact, I’m not sure why they didn’t triple the weight of supervotes, or even more!   But Eva, what about the resentment?  What about the self-image?”

Florez nodded somberly.  “I know, that’s a tough one.  That’s going to be a big societal project, explaining why it’s still an equal society.  This is America, after all.  I’m not underestimating that part.”

They both were silent for a while.  “Well,” Alexander said finally, “the amendment process is legitimate.  If it passes, we’ll all support it.  But, to me there are bigger global priorities.  Spiritual ones, even.  But I certainly wish you luck.”