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I'm not a Republican, and I'm not a Democrat, but I wonder how many Republicans in California don't vote for President re thinking the republican Candidate has no chance to win the state and get the state's electoral votes.
I'm sure there are plenty, just like there are probably plenty of democrats that don't vote in red states during the presidential election. The problem is that if those voters don't turn up at the polls, they also don't vote for down ballot races giving the majority party a virtual lock on local and state elections.
The EC is an 18th century solution to an 18th century problem that no longer exists now that we have political parties. Get rid of it. In the early Republic, any Tom, Dick, or Harry could run for president as long as they could meet the qualifications. There were thirteen candidates running for president in 1796. That was the future the founding fathers were envisioning with the EC as a solution. The EC was designed to keep election process under control and to be sure qualified candidates won the election. We now have strong political parties that serve the function better through the primary and caucus process.
The EC even failed to elect a president in 1824 although Jackson won the popular vote out of four candidates. The election was thrown into the House of Representatives where John Quincy Adams was selected as President.
The EC has turned over the popular vote four other times and each time it was in favor of a one-term president (with one exception) with a less than stellar performance. Hayes decided not to stand for reelection. Benjamin Harrison and John Quincy Adams were defeated by the very candidate that gained the popular vote in their initial election. The EC action outcome was always controversial. The fact that the popular vote won out in all but five elections and we have been a strong and prosperous nation for over 200 years is evidence that the voters are, in fact, better able to select a president than the EC.
Elimination of the EC should be accompanied by other election reforms. Absolute spending and contribution limits should be established and Citizens United overturned. States control voter rights so some level of credibility must be achieved to ensure fairness in voting in all states.
Actually, the dems did win the popular vote, in both Bush/Gore in 2000, and Trump/Clinton in 2016. The Electoral College made sure the popular vote was ignored. Eliminating the EC would at least slow down the rampant GOP gerrymandering.
Exactly how did the GOP gerrymand the borders of a state? If the states didn't allocate their electors by winner take all but by some sort districts like they do congressional representatives then perhaps they could gerrymand their electors.
I consider myself a Republican these days, but I would support a popular vote. It’s tough to say who would win because campaigning would be completely different. However, if that happens there must be absolutely no samctuary cities. There must be voter id cards. There needs to be a lot more oversight and regulation, which Democrats wouldn’t support.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fleet
You really think the most populous 4-5 states should decide the presidential election?
States would be irrelevant. More likely is that city dwellers thinking that since we out number them rural citizens will bend to our will. That some states, with their two electors, no matter what the population, and which have a different percentage of city to rural residents is what keeps some balance
Nice dodge rather than having to actually explain why the popular vote isn’t fair. (It’s because you don’t have an explanation, it’s okay I get it))
And you still don't have a reason why Hillary did not get 270 electoral votes. But you still want to keep blaming Russia or women who voted based on what their husbands told them.
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States?
