Imagine a system where the person who wins the most votes doesn't necessarily win the election. Sound unfair? Well, that's exactly how the electoral college works in the United States. The electoral college is an outdated and undemocratic system that needs to be abolished. In this article, we will explore why the electoral college should be abolished and the impact it has on our democracy.
The Pain Points of the Electoral College
One of the main pain points of the electoral college is that it can result in a candidate winning the presidency without winning the popular vote. This has happened five times in our history, including in the most recent 2016 election. This undermines the principle of "one person, one vote" and can leave many voters feeling disenfranchised.
Answering the Target
The main argument for the electoral college is that it ensures that smaller states have a voice in the election. However, this argument doesn't hold up when you consider that smaller states are already given more power in the Senate. Additionally, the winner-takes-all system used by most states in allocating electoral votes means that candidates only focus on a handful of swing states, ignoring the majority of the country.
Summary of Main Points
In summary, the electoral college should be abolished because it can result in a candidate winning the presidency without winning the popular vote, it gives undue power to swing states, and it undermines the principle of "one person, one vote". Now, let's dive deeper into each of these points.
The Impact on Democracy
The electoral college goes against the basic principles of democracy. In a true democracy, the candidate who receives the most votes should win. However, under the electoral college system, a candidate can win the presidency even if they receive fewer votes overall. This is a direct contradiction to the democratic principle of majority rule.
Furthermore, the winner-takes-all system used by most states in allocating electoral votes means that candidates only focus on a few swing states. This leaves the majority of the country feeling ignored and their voices unheard. It also leads to a lack of diversity in policy priorities, as candidates tailor their platforms to appeal to the swing states rather than the entire nation.
Another issue with the electoral college is that it can result in an unrepresentative outcome. The winner-takes-all system means that a candidate can win all of a state's electoral votes by a slim margin, even if the majority of voters in that state didn't support them. This can lead to a situation where the candidate who receives the most votes nationally doesn't win the presidency, as we saw in the 2016 election.
In addition, the electoral college can discourage voter turnout. In states that are reliably red or blue, many voters feel like their vote doesn't matter because the state's electoral votes are predetermined. This can lead to apathy and disengagement from the political process.
Overall, the electoral college is a flawed system that undermines the principles of democracy and leaves many voters feeling disenfranchised.
The History and Myth of the Electoral College
The electoral college was established by the framers of the Constitution as a compromise between those who wanted the president to be elected by Congress and those who wanted the president to be elected by popular vote. The framers feared that a direct popular vote would lead to mob rule and wanted to ensure that smaller states had a voice in the election.
However, the electoral college has evolved over time and no longer serves its intended purpose. The winner-takes-all system used by most states is not mandated by the Constitution and has led to a situation where only a handful of swing states have a say in the outcome of the election. This is not what the framers envisioned.
There is also a common myth that the electoral college prevents large cities from dominating the election. In reality, the electoral college actually gives more weight to voters in less populous states. This is because each state is allocated a number of electors based on their representation in Congress, which is determined by population. So, in a sense, the electoral college actually gives more power to voters in smaller states.
The Hidden Secret of the Electoral College
One of the hidden secrets of the electoral college is the existence of faithless electors. In some states, electors are not legally bound to vote for the candidate who won their state's popular vote. This means that even if a candidate wins the popular vote in a state, there is no guarantee that all of that state's electors will vote for that candidate.
While faithless electors have never changed the outcome of an election, they have the potential to do so. In the 2016 election, there were seven faithless electors who voted for someone other than the candidate who won their state's popular vote. This highlights the undemocratic nature of the electoral college and the potential for it to subvert the will of the people.
Recommendation to Abolish the Electoral College
The best solution to the problems posed by the electoral college is to abolish it altogether and move to a system of direct popular vote. This would ensure that the candidate who receives the most votes wins the presidency and that every vote counts equally. It would also encourage candidates to campaign in all states, not just the swing states, and would give voters a greater sense of inclusion and representation.
There have been attempts to reform the electoral college, such as the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which would allocate a state's electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote. However, true reform can only come through a constitutional amendment that abolishes the electoral college.
Exploring the Topic in More Detail
To explore the topic of why the electoral college should be abolished in more detail, it is important to consider the arguments made by its supporters. One argument is that the electoral college encourages candidates to build broad-based coalitions and prevents the dominance of one region or group. However, this argument ignores the fact that the winner-takes-all system actually discourages third-party candidates and can result in a candidate winning the presidency without winning the popular vote.
Another argument is that the electoral college protects the rights of smaller states and prevents large cities from dominating the election. However, this argument fails to recognize that the electoral college actually gives more weight to voters in less populous states, as each state is allocated a number of electors based on their representation in Congress.
Ultimately, the arguments in favor of the electoral college do not hold up under scrutiny and fail to justify its undemocratic nature. The best course of action is to abolish the electoral college and move to a system of direct popular vote.
Tips for Abolishing the Electoral College
If you believe that the electoral college should be abolished, there are several steps you can take to help make it happen. First, educate yourself about the electoral college and its flaws. Understand the arguments made by its supporters and be prepared to counter them with facts and evidence.
Next, get involved in grassroots efforts to raise awareness about the issue. Support organizations that are working to abolish the electoral college and spread the word through social media, writing letters to your elected officials, and participating in peaceful protests and demonstrations.
You can also support candidates who are in favor of abolishing the electoral college and vote for them in local, state, and national elections. Use your voice and your vote to send a message that you believe in a system where every vote counts equally.
Conclusion of Why the Electoral College Should be Abolished
The electoral college is an outdated and undemocratic system that undermines the principles of democracy. It can result in a candidate winning the presidency without winning the popular vote, gives undue power to swing states, and leaves many voters feeling disenfranchised. It is time to abolish the electoral college and move to a system of direct popular vote, where every vote counts equally and the candidate who receives the most votes wins the presidency. Our democracy depends on it.
Question and Answer
Why was the electoral college created?
The electoral college was created as a compromise between those who wanted the president to be elected by Congress and those who wanted the president to be elected by popular vote. The framers feared that a direct popular vote would lead to mob rule and wanted to ensure that smaller states had a voice in the election.
Has the electoral college ever resulted in a candidate winning the presidency without winning the popular vote?
Yes, there have been five instances in our history where a candidate has won the presidency without winning the popular vote. The most recent example is the 2016 election, where Hillary Clinton won the popular vote but Donald Trump won the electoral college.
What is the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact?
The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is an agreement among a group of states to allocate their electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote, regardless of the outcome in their individual states. It would effectively bypass the electoral college without the need for a constitutional amendment.
What are the arguments in favor of the electoral college?
Supporters of the electoral college argue that it encourages candidates to build broad-based coalitions and prevents the dominance of one region or group. They also argue that it protects the rights of smaller states and prevents large cities from dominating the election.
