The will of the people is now far better expressed through the resulting popular vote than the electorate of the Electoral College. Electoral College pros and cons: should the USA use popular vote to elect the President? One effect of this in 1988, for example, the combined voting age population (3,119,000) of the seven least Theres a real partisan reality here, it would be taking away power from red states at this point.. 1. nationwide, he might still end up with no Electoral College votes at all unless he won a We will help you do it! But so, as an Without the Electoral College, Bush would not have the momentum to keep running for president and run the country the way both the state and people want it to be, What Are The Pros And Cons Of The Electoral College, The Electoral College is a body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president. There are a total of 538 electoral votes in the whole United States of America: 100 for the senators, 435 for the states combined, and 3 for Washington D.C. States. The total population of the state determines the number of members represents them in Congress. generally acceptable objectives. WebWhat are the advantages of National Popular Vote? Should the Voting Age Be Lowered to 16? Proponents say teens are knowledgeable enough to vote. Here are the proper bibliographic citations for this page according to four style manuals (in alphabetical order): [Editor's Note: The APA citation style requires double spacing within entries. WebThe Debate Today. forces political coalitions to occur within the political parties rather than within the federal structure, important political powers are reserved to the component States. institution, does the United States Senate. The Electoral College has also awarded the presidency to candidates with a plurality of the popular vote (under 50 percent) in a number of cases, notably Abraham Lincoln in 1860, John F. Kennedy in 1960 and Bill Clinton in 1992 and 1996. Each state is authorized a specific amount of electoral votes, based solely on the number of members that state has in Congress. to force the decision into the U.S. House of Representatives, they would still have to In a state that maybe is clearly Republican or Democratic, it makes the minority feel like they never have a voice in electing a presidential candidate, explained Jacobson. But since there have been no serious proposals to abolish the United States Senate on [2], The Electoral College was established in 1788 by Article II of the US Constitution, which also established the executive branch of the US government, and was revised by the Twelfth Amendment (ratified June 15, 1804), the Fourteenth Amendment (ratified July 1868), and the Twenty-Third Amendment (ratified Mar. Pros and Cons of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. consideration, should we not then abolish the Senate which represents States regardless of Floridian's potential vote, then, carried about one third the weight of a potential vote to govern. This is an example of increased voting power that raises the importance of voters even in less populous states. the College tends to over-represent people in rural States. [2] [20], Jesse Wegman, author of Let the People Pick the President, stated, If anything, representative democracy in the 21st century is about political equality. There are pros and cons to both systems. In the Although the Electoral College may have been a necessary element of the government when it was originally created, the system has since become impractical for todays society. Why does the system continue? The Electoral College is a body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president.. The delegates believed that the presidents power should be limited, and that he should be chosen through the system known as the Electoral College. However, that support diverges widely based on political parties, with support from 89 percent of Democrats and only 23 percent of Republicans. support outweighs whatever sentimental value may attach to obtaining a bare majority of Ithica: Cornell University Press, 1975. ProCon/Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio and Virginia are likely going to be considered swing states, where a minor increase in the popular vote could have an extremely important impact for the chances of a candidate. this century and as recently as 1988 when a Democrat Elector in the State of West Virginia 2. And since ethnic minority groups in the United States happen to When you talk about the Electoral College shaping the election, it shapes the election all the time because it puts the focus on certain states and not others, said Alexander Keyssar, a professor of history and social policy at Harvard University. Following U.S. election results on a TV in a restaurant in Shanghai on Nov. 4. does not determine the winner of the presidency, Joseph R. Biden Jr. had earned 306 electoral votes, Thirty-three states and the District of Columbia, it is not a college in the modern educational sense, Kimberly Wehle, a professor at the University of Baltimore, on Nov. 3 backed membership in the compact. Should that happen today, there are two possible than make a difference. will. A special commission named by the House chose Hayes over Samuel J. Tilden, after 20 electoral votes in Florida, Louisiana and South Carolina were disputed. Often ignored, Americans had a lesson on the workings of the Electoral College after the 2000 election, in which Al Gore won the popular vote but George W. Bush became president. Or sign in with your favourite Social Network: In order to join the debate you must be logged in. by William C. Kimberling, appointments are great but usually only represent the agenda of the one Under the national popular vote bill, every vote will be equal, every voter in every state will matter in every election, and the candidate with the most votes will go to the White House. Listen to a Constitution Center podcast exploring the pros and cons of the Electoral College. This would accomplish "government by popular practical matter, the popular difference between the two candidates would likely be so Elections (2nd ed). Such an organization of social conflict and political ", ProCon.org. parties catering to divergent and sometimes extremist views. States can design their own mechanism -- without federal involvement -- for choosing their electors. represent each State's choice for the presidency (with the number of each State's they often cite the South here) so as to enable a minority of citizens to decide the State Governors, State legislators, and a host of local officials) in which these same I do not think this system is fair, I think it contradicts the fact that as Americans we are given the freedom to vote, but it seems as though the peoples vote actually doesnt decide much. a system of proportional representation? 3. Your comment is being posted. While the NPVIC would take away the disproportionate focus on small swing states, it would likely see candidates now instead leaving out states with smaller populations. As of 2020, the state with the largest number of votes is California, with 55 electoral votes. Election of the President. While the country has More than 74 million votes had been counted for Mr. Trump. Chicago, Illinois 60654 USA, Natalie Leppard Some scholars have said they do not wholeheartedly agree with the decision, arguing that it endangers an electors freedom to make decisions they want and that electors are usually picked for their loyalty to a candidate or party. The Electoral College majorities in the States. Unfortunately, we see in politics that what you feel about an issue depends on what you think you could get from it. University of Colorado Boulder voter participation, the Electoral College actually enhances the status of minority mechanism is to make it extremely difficult for third party or independent candidates ever 1. national and State governments which the Founding Fathers intended and which is reflected It only takes five people with life tenure to actually amend this Constitution through a judicial opinion, she said. What do you think? How could this happen? On Dec. 14, as electors gathered across the country to cast their ballots, Joseph R. Biden Jr. had earned 306 electoral votes, 36 more than needed to win. the Electoral College Cleveland ran again four years later and won back the White House. Most states use the winner-take-all method, in which all electoral votes are awarded to the winner of the popular vote in that state. Vote to see result and collect 1 XP. One can see its importance in the fact that despite Hillary Clintons national popular vote total, she won only about a sixth of the counties nationwide, with her support limited mostly to urban areas on both coasts. [34], If the election were based on popular vote, it would be possible for a candidate to receive the highest number of popular votes without actually obtaining a majority. Constitutional amendment, then it is possible to solve the problem without abolishing the It is hard to imagine what counter-incentive would be created by eliminating the Electoral Although its not detailed in the Constitution, each state delegation would vote on which candidate to support as a group, with the plurality carrying the day, said Akhil Reed Amar, a professor of law and political science at Yale University. also point to the risk of so-called "faithless" Electors. The Electoral College is the voting system the United States has adopted to choose the president, the individual who runs the country. the difference between winning all of that State's electoral votes or none of that State's Signing onto the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact offers no more security than the current system, which will likely hinder its ability to gain traction. With this rule, that means the candidate who also got some votes from that state, ends up getting none. Pros the Congress as an institution. Electoral College system contributes to the cohesiveness of the country be requiring a WebPoverty and child neglect are complex, highly correlated problems that can impact families simultaneously. Have each group select one student to present an argument in favor of or against the current system to the class. [21] [22], A Sep. 2020 Gallup poll found 61% of Americans were in favor of abolishing the Electoral College, up 12 points from 2016. that One [pro of the Electoral College] is that it makes sure that states that otherwise might feel left out of the process are included despite their small size. Electoral votes incentivize voting in less populated states by increasing and emphasizing the impact of each state. mathematical process (since the individual Electors are no longer essential to its extremely close, then the election defaults to that candidate with the best distribution parties which tend to the center of public opinion rather than dozens of smaller political NOTE: Your account might be penalized should we not find any wrongdoing by this user. unstable political system characterized by a multitude of political parties and by more Occasionally, citizens believe that we should no longer have an electoral college since it does not allow Americans to have a voice during the election, but the electoral college helps the election process go smooth, gives power to the states, and makes it easier for candidates to campaign. presidential candidates split the electoral votes among them such that no one obtained the The reasoning behind the Electoral College written in the Constitution is simply expressed that political leaders have more knowledge in the fate of the country rather than citizens. popular vote How Does the Electoral College Work and The votes were certified in the early hours of Jan. 7, 2021 by Vice President Pence, declaring Joe Biden the 46th US President. Vote to see result and collect 1 XP. Should People Who Have Completed Felony Sentences Be Allowed to Vote? WebThe National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is an agreement where states in the compact award all their electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote, no matter which presidential candidate wins in their state, says Indeed, there may even be an incentive to discourage participation (and Longley, Lawrence D. The Politics of Electoral College Reform. Representatives. that in very close popular elections, it is possible that the candidate who wins a slight vote in that case, they would hardly be considered a minor party. It can be risky, considering if you do it one election when it helps you, but the next election may harm you and there is nothing you can do about it, said Graham. If so, how? The same thing happened in 2016, when Donald Trump won the electoral college vote over Hillary Clinton despite losing the popular vote to Clinton by nearly 3 million votes. When Americans cast their ballots, they are actually voting for a slate of electors appointed by their states political parties who are pledged to support that partys candidate. States to have a chance of winning the presidency. New York: Harper & Row, 1971. Lexington, Mass: In some ways, it defies the rule of one person, one voteWith increasing frequency, I imagine, well see instances where the winner of the Electoral College and the national popular vote do not align, said Jacobson. [23] [26]. The Electoral College comprises 538 electors; each state is allowed one elector for each Representative and Senator (DC is allowed 3 electors as established by the Twenty-Third Amendment). The unlikely situation of one candidate dying or becoming legally disable around the time of the election would be better handle by the Electoral College, because electors can adapt to the situation and find a solution. Although the Electoral College is a good system for electing the president, it is time to change. Opponents say would disadvantage low-income and blue collar workers. Inkwell Copyright 2023 FLEX WordPress Theme by SNO Log in, Dr. Robin Jacobson, professor and chair of politics and government at University of Puget Sound, said. The substitution of electors obviated this difficulty and seemed on the whole to be liable to fewest objections. [29], As Wilfred Wilfred Codrington III, Assistant Professor at Brooklyn Law School and a fellow at the Brennan Center, explained, Behind Madisons statement were the stark facts: The populations in the North and South were approximately equal, but roughly one-third of those living in the South were held in bondage. It is uncertain what the effect on the motivation of the voters will be. Another direct consequence of the winner-take-all system is that candidates focus more on populated swing states than on other states. the National Popular Vote Interstate Advantages and Disadvantages of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. plausibility, it fails to account for the fact that presidential elections do not occur in What are some pros and cons of electing a president based on the popular vote? Schlesinger, Arthur M. Jr. Conversely, the major parties have helps to maintain a two party system in the United States. In total, there are 538 electoral votes, divided among the states according to population size. obliged to compromise their more radical views if they hope to attain any of their more The only way that I think this could dramatically change is with public pressure. therefore actually damage minority interests since their votes would be overwhelmed by a Additionally, the Electoral College, while intended to protect the vote of each and every person, has more than once resulted in the exact opposite. to make much of a showing in the Electoral College. Opponents say kids arent mature enough to vote. The Pros and Cons of the Electoral College - SmartAsset The electoral college is a tradition of American politics that's fairly controversial. If your thoughts have not changed, list two to three ways your better understanding of the other side of the issue now helps you better argue your position. Electoral College Debate: To Keep for Public Policy Research. substantially to the time, cost, and effort already devoted to selecting a president and While its actual population makes up only 0.18% of the U.S. population, their electoral votes are 1.1% of all electoral votes. Even if they won enough electoral votes You would imagine [candidates] paying attention to where most people are living, because now thats how theyll get the most votes. the Electoral College point out that is was never intended to reflect the national popular They voted for a variety of candidates not on the ballot: Bernie Sanders, Colin Powell and Ron Paul, among others. I AM AN ELECTED JUDGE. whether his popularity is concentrated in a few States or whether it is more evenly Fair or not fair? WebElections are complex processes, and direct elections have both advantages and disadvantages. As for the first issue, that the Electoral College over-represents rural The Electoral College does have flaws but it may be able to benefit our election system. Explain that each state and the District of Columbia are given a share of the electoral vote based on population. Make a list and offer support for each reform. On Dec. 22, 2016, the results were certified in all 50 states. [1], Prior to the 2016 election, there were four times in US history when a candidate won the presidency despite losing the popular vote: 1824 (John Quincy Adams over Andrew Jackson), 1876 (Rutherford B. Hayes over Samuel Tilden), 1888 (Benjamin Harrison over Grover Cleveland), and 2000 (George W. Bush over Al Gore). The winner of the states popular vote gets two electoral votes, and one vote is awarded to the winner of the popular vote in each congressional district. winner-take-all mechanism whereby the presidential candidate who wins the most popular The states with the lowest number of votes are Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming, all holding 3 electoral votes. In Maine and Nebraska they follow an alternative, and more proportionaldistrict method. movements into one of the two major political parties. Should the Electoral College be modified? Its the Electoral College, not the national popular vote, that determines who wins the presidency. Not everyone knows exactly how the president is elected. A direct popular election of the president would likely have the opposite effect. Mr. Biden was leading in the popular vote, with more than 81 million votes. A popular vote system would significantly impact voters and turnout. Analyze and debate the pros and cons of the Electoral College system. This is so because the voters of even small minorities in a State may make Only use this feature if you are certain this user has infringed netivist's Terms of Service. The delegates agreed that the President and Vice President should be chosen informally and not based on the direct popular vote, thus gave birth to the Electoral College. sets of coherent alternatives. views represented by these parties in hopes of winning the run-off election. The Electoral College is a process, and a system which we have adapted to over the years. Students may work individually or in small groups. The electors of each district may vote for different parties. You might be seeing people throw up their hands and say, what does one vote in the whole country matter?, Robinson also described a potential outcome of increased polarization. For example, if you have folks in rural areas that now feel likethey have no voice at all. There is too much politicizing in the courts now, and that is a shame. People are rational actors; they are making a calculation if their vote is one of all the citizens in the United States, they may think that the possibility that their vote is going to matter is less. system, in contrast, encourages political parties to coalesce divergent interests into two Pennsylvania is tied between Republican and Democratic representatives, and Michigan has seven Democrats, six Republicans and one independent. depressing voter turnout, and. Small states only get 3 electoral votes, when really, their population, for example in Wyoming, is 584, 153. nation by encouraging a two-party system, and. Politicians are usually pretty cautious when it comes to these things because it is not a good long-term option with demographics in this country starting to change. As has been shown by analyses of multiple past elections, the Electoral College does favors one major party over another. It has its pros and cons though, many of which critics debate over. Proponents say an election day holiday will increase voter turnout. about those outcomes is that few people noticed and even fewer cared. Processes vary from state to state, with some choosing electors during state Republican and Democratic conventions. below. This occurred, as noted above, in 1824 and was unsuccessfully FEC:The Electoral College In addition to protecting the presidency from impassioned but transitory third party Would they like to see the system changed? independent candidate were to win the support of even as many as 25% of the voters That important decision ultimately falls to the Electoral College. A person that can provide and lead a nation to greatness and success. Majority of the time electors are people highly involved with the presidential candidates, such as party leaders, or state elected officials. Some US territories do not have electors and dont participate in the presidential election, for example Guam or, Finally, the winner-take-all basis favors a. The system had some unusual results from the start, as evident in the election of 1800, a tie in which Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr received an equal number of electoral votes. When the time came to agree on a system for choosing the president, it was all too easy for the delegates to resort to the three-fifths compromise [counting only 3/5 of the enslaved population instead of the population as a whole] as the foundation. Opponents of the Electoral College are You would see campaigns giving different geographic emphasis. We are having trouble saving your comment. regardless of its population - over-represents rural populations far more dramatically. What other voting reforms would you make? Participation is discouraged, except in the swing states. In response to these arguments, proponents of in American History and the Direct-Vote Alternative. Recognizing the strong regional interests and president. Congressional Quarterly's Guide to U.S. I know how the president is chosen, and I believe that the set up of the electoral college is no longer. One way in which a minority president could taken as a whole. New Haven: Yale The Associated Press explains in this five-part animation series. Forty-eight states use the winner-take-all method of appointing electors. Menu burger Close thin Facebook Twitter Google plus Linked in Reddit Email arrow-right-sm arrow-right Loading Home Buying Calculators There are arguments that the states with smaller populations are overrepresented in the Electoral College, because every state gets at least 3 electors regardless of population. Is it fair? Robinson also described a potential outcome of increased polarization. This piece was originally published in Inkwells2020 Election Print Issue. votes, then the choice of president defaults to the States in the U.S. House of a vacuum. The Electoral College is the system in place that has historically determined the winner of the presidential election. Some states list electors names on the general election ballot. Should it be abolished? Should the Electoral College be abolished? ], ProCon.org, "The Electoral College Top 3 Pros and Cons,", ProCon.org, "The Electoral College Top 3 Pros and Cons. in the Electoral college. In most states (Maine and Nebraska are the only exceptions) the electors are elected on a winner-take-all basis, which means that the candidate with more votes in one state wins all the pledged electors of thatstate. The process of choosing electors can be an insiders game, said Kimberly Wehle, a professor at the University of Baltimore and the author of What You Need to Know About Voting and Why. They are often state legislators, party leaders or donors, she said. tends to be more sensitive to ethnic minority and other special interest groups than does Pierce, Neal R. and Longley, Lawrence D. The People's President: The Electoral College WebWhat Are The Pros And Cons Of The Electoral College. The Electoral College could take office is if, as in 1888, one candidate's popular support were heavily The winner of each district is awarded that districts electoral vote, and the winner of the state-wide vote is then awarded the states remaining two electoral votes. While this argument has a certain surface If you would not change the voting process, make a list of reforms and why you would not choose to enact them. They will do as promised if the candidates do a very good job vetting them and picking people who are rock-solid, Professor Amar said. The current Presidential election process uses the Electoral College system. WebPros: No winner of popular vote losing overall Cons: Basically exactly like the Direct plan District Plan Win popular vote in each district, you get one electoral vote. Elections. popular support. work in a rational series of defaults: if, in the first instance, a candidate receives a representation. Because of the Electoral College, presidential candidates only need to pay attention to a limited number of states that can swing one way or the other.
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