Electoral Votes

[CJY]

I was listening to the radio this morning and they had a Gov Professor from Texas A and M (I think) talking about electoral votes. He said there was no good reason for keeping the electoral college except that change would be difficult.

I guess I need a gov lesson. I do not understand the need for it or how it helps the election process. Why not just have a popular vote and be done with it?

I did learn today that each state can decide for themselves how to distribute their votes. They can give all of their votes to the candidate with the majority of popular votes. They can also distribute their votes based on the percentage of votes each candidate takes.

It just appears as though the people's decision would best be represented by a majority popular vote.

Am I missing something here?

 

[Plainsman]

Re: Electoral Votes

This may help you CJY:
http://www.fec.gov/pdf/eleccoll.pdf

 

[CJY]

Re: Electoral Votes

Thanks eepks, but still some confusion. As I read the pros and cons of today's system, one pro said it promotes a two party system, and I would agree. But if a third party is represented, why would a 2 party be better than a 3 and so on? I understand a third party pulls votes away from the top two, but so what, seriously?

I read the other bulleted pros and cons, and I don't see how a popular voting system would hurt anything.

I understand the incentive for many "parties" to pop up in a popular voting system. There should be a way to keep that from happening. Limit the number of candidates, force them to collect a number of supporting signatures or something.

I don't know, maybe today's system is as good as it gets.

It's just confusing, odd and would appear to be outdated even after the changes that have taken place. A popular vote would appear to be a way to empower the people if they truly wanted a greater turn-out at the polls.

 

[JB]

Re: Electoral Votes

The electoral voting system, along with the allotment of seats in the US Senate, represent a key difference between a democracy and a republic.

Both exist to protect smaller (rural, agricultural) states with smaller population from being dominated by more populous (industrial, urban) states whose needs and priorities are usually counter to the needs and priorities of the smaller states.

The Civil War was started over the issue of states running their own affairs and having equal power in the Legislative branch. Thirteen (coincidence?) states decided that their interests were being unacceptably dominated by the industrial/urban North and withdrew from the Republic.

The electoral system was designed to prevent that from happening. Without it that sort of thing would have happened many times.

 

[QC]

Re: Electoral Votes

What JB said.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Electoral Votes

I was listening to the radio this morning and they had a Gov Professor from Texas A and M (I think) talking about electoral votes. He said there was no good reason for keeping the electoral college except that change would be difficult.

I suggest this professor had an unspoken ulterior motive. As too many in academia lean way left, the left would die to be rid of the electoral vote system.

With all that was said above, just look at a map of where the liberal voting power is. It is in the most highly concentrated centers of population. It would gain them great advantage to have those centers determine the presidency.

In fact, I think it would be a good idea if states had an electoral vote system, by counties.

 

[Link]

Re: Electoral Votes

Boomyal wrote:
In fact, I think it would be a good idea if states had an electoral vote system, by counties.

Wouldn't mind seeing a seperate post on that.
Wonder what the cons would be.

Just a thought

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Electoral Votes

Wonder what the cons would be.

Take my home state California.
The entire state is very red except for Los Angeles area and San Fransisco area. They are very blue.
Consequently theses very populated and dense areas dictate law, politics, wants and needs, issues and answers to a substantial although minority segment of population that live very differently from their counter-parts.

This example should explain the need for electorial votes.

 

[rottenray6402]

Re: Electoral Votes

Term limits are the only simple and effective way to change the corrupt power grubbing politicians on both sides. More business people and fewer lawyers would be a welcome change also. My apologies to any lawyers reading this but I don't think we get the best representation that.way.

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Electoral Votes

Do you really think it would help bring a better person to office?

Ken

 

[rwise]

Re: Electoral Votes

electorial vote, because we the people are to stupid to elect a president! 10, 9, 8, 7...........

 

[tommays]

Re: Electoral Votes

So if somebody gets 50.1% of the votes were are cool with the other 49.9 not counting

Tommays

 

[QC]

Re: Electoral Votes

Well rottenray, I'll say I am defintiely not sure about term limits. The simple slogan is: "we already have term limits, they're called elections". Doesn't always work, but I want the choice to keep somebody in office too . . . Tough debate . . . this whole thing.