I find it awfully concerning how the State Legislature is following a similar method used by the Federal legislature to circumvent our foundation, which has been weakened more than people care to believe. I'd like to point out that there is a terrible trend being set across the country. First, elections shouldn't be as close as they have been. There should be a difinitive winner everytime. The further we go, it seems the more that is chipped away at Liberty and Justice, as well as any possibility for people to pursue happiness. Secondly, One of the great principles laid down in the Federal Constitution was that each house in congress, and each of the other two branches would be appointed from different sources. We've seen the terrible suffering such a change has caused by removing the state legislature from appointing senators. More democratic, perhaps, but democracies have failed due to improper allegiances that are loyal to anyone but those who elected them. Washington & Madison warned us of the ensuing imperial wars that would follow before a century could pass, and hoped any deviation would prove Unconstitutional, else this country would not last.
For further reference, consider reading Washington's farewell address, and another well known document, "Declaration of Independence."