electoral votes

[lakerfan1784]

The electoral voting system a thing that confuses me. I dont know why it is set up like that. I think that whoever has the majority of the votes should win, but it has to be a clear majority.

Personally, I think its a load of shit that a candidate can win without the majority of the votes.

I want to know some of your opinions on this electoral college deal.

EDIT: also, please post your reason for your selection, if you would.

[Thourun]

Bad idea for modern times.

[aloharocky]

I think it could be done away with in these times, but first, they would have to devise better methods of counting the votes. With today's computers, I'd perhaps like to see thumbprints placed on the ballots, and real enforcement of election rules, with severe punishment of violaters.

[Thourun]

with severe punishment of violaters

Like sending them to Iraq!

[tenguzero]

Ugh. the Electoral College is bs. Though your vote may count in theory, in practice, it doesn't mean squat. I agree that the system is antiquated, and in dire need or a revamping or outright removal. When the forefathers set up the whole process, they set it up to operate based on a population that was largely uninformed about the issues. Sure, the people had a right to vote, but in the end, the electoral college system allowed the actual voting to be determined by more "educated" individuals. In today's society, the populace at large is far more educated in the issues, and therefore (presumably) far more entitled to making a valid, informed decision - directly. And yet, the Electoral College system is still a barrier preventing this example of democracy in its truest form, that of one ballot = one direct vote, from being realized.

--For anyone puzzled as to how the EC system can decide a president contrary to what the popular vote actually decrees, I can give a simple, but excellent example.

= Candidate A = Candidate B
______
| 100 | --> State 1 (population 100) votes 51 for A || 49 for B
|_____ | (4 electoral votes)

______
| 100 | --> State 2 (population 100) votes 51 for A || 49 for B
|_____ | (4 electoral votes)

____
| 50 | --> State 3 (population 50) votes 20 for A || 30 for B
|___| (2 electoral votes)

(A) = 8 electoral votes, 122 popular vote
(B)= 2 electoral votes, 128 popular vote

wins the popular vote, but loses the election DESPITE being elected by the majority of the citizens.
wins the election, even though the people said otherwise.

[lakerfan1784]

^ excellent example indeed.

[Thourun]

Wow candidate A and B are allmost exactally the same except they shake in oposing directions, could this be carried over to the real candidates?

[Murco]

What the hell has happened to civics education these days??!!
The electoral college is in place to give EVERY state a voice. If it didn't exist our elections would be made by 3 or 4 states.

[taranaki]

like......Florida and Ohio?

[TRD2000]

it's undemocratic.... complete B.S.

[Thourun]

If bush wins the popular vote then he should be president. No mater what anyone thinks of the majourity (even if they are republican ), they still get to decide their own leader.

[KustmAce]

Totally defeats the purpose of democracy. What's the point when the majority does not win?

And as for giving every state a voice, we're electing the president as a nation, not as individual states.

[TRD2000]

ok so when's someone going to do something about getting rid of it?

[KustmAce]

Originally Posted by TRD2000

ok so when's someone going to do something about getting rid of it?

As soon as what happened to Gore in '00 happens to a Republican.

[aloharocky]

What, losing an election?