Electoral College Method

Electoral College Method

Introduction

In any election process, if one is in the minority, he may as well stay at home.  Except if he does vote, then the vote count will provide a measure of his displeasure, and that is an important thing to demonstrate.  But generally, people are primarily concerned with who wins; and if there is no chance to win, they are greatly discouraged.

Discussion

Currently most states have chosen a winner-take-all process to choose their presidential electors.  Thereby, the state has a strong say in the electoral process, but up to half its citizens have no say.  Two states, Maine and Nebraska, have chosen the Congressional District Method.  Thereby, the votes are split.  The state has less influence, but the people are better represented.

The Electoral College in its deliberations gives weight to both state and people concerns, with the balance having been established by our Constitution - two votes per state plus proportional votes for the populous.  It's a good system.

The National Popular Vote, enacted within the framework of the Electoral College, denies state representation, and thereby changes the electoral process as determined by our Founders.  It is also somewhat awkward to implement.  We vote as always.  Within a day or two our electors are determined, and we think we know who has won.  But then if the vote is close, the electors may be redirected to ignore the vote of their constituents.

 

The current Electoral College process is best, especially if all states would adopt the Congressional District Method of choosing electors.  However, if a popular vote method would be insisted on, then we should do it cleanly, without the Electoral College.  We should do it by amendment.

With National Popular Vote no voters are effectively disenfranchised. I would like to follow up on the letters by Mr. ...