Over the past 200 years, over 700 proposals have been introduced in Congress to reform or eliminate the Electoral College. One main reason being that the President is not chosen by a nationwide popular vote. The Electoral College vote totals determine the winner, not the statistical plurality or majority a candidate may have in the nationwide popular vote totals. Electoral votes are awarded on the basis of the popular vote in each state. The current system encourages presidential campaigns to focus on the 10 or 12 so called “swing states”, which could go to either party.
The District of Columbia and 48 states have a winner-takes-all rule for the Electoral College. In these states, whichever candidate receives a majority of the popular vote, or a plurality of the popular vote, takes all of the state's Electoral votes. The founding fathers establishes the Electoral College in the constitution as a compromise between election of President by a vote in Congress and election of the President by a popular vote of qualified citizens. The Electoral College preserves the voice of states with lower populations and more rural areas, protecting minority interests. Especially in contemporary times, urban areas tend to be more populated, but the Electoral College serves the interests of farmers and those found in less bustling locations. It facilitates a two-party system, Republican and Democrats, creating more stability. The small number of political parties allows for generalized platforms instead of parties focused on specific issues. Lastly, states are given more direct power to select the delegates to the Electoral College, allowing them to participate in the selection of a president and maintaining the representative form of government.
The District of Columbia and 48 states have a winner-takes-all rule for the Electoral College. In these states, whichever candidate receives a majority of the popular vote, or a plurality of the popular vote, takes all of the state's Electoral votes. The founding fathers establishes the Electoral College in the constitution as a compromise between election of President by a vote in Congress and election of the President by a popular vote of qualified citizens. The Electoral College preserves the voice of states with lower populations and more rural areas, protecting minority interests. Especially in contemporary times, urban areas tend to be more populated, but the Electoral College serves the interests of farmers and those found in less bustling locations. It facilitates a two-party system, Republican and Democrats, creating more stability. The small number of political parties allows for generalized platforms instead of parties focused on specific issues. Lastly, states are given more direct power to select the delegates to the Electoral College, allowing them to participate in the selection of a president and maintaining the representative form of government.
No comments:
Post a Comment