According to International IDEA, the United States has almost the lowest voter turnout in the world, ranked a measly 140 out of 163. Perhaps Americans are apathetic, or maybe they’re just concerned their vote is meaningless in the face of America's massive political machine. Can my vote really change the course of politics, or am I just a grain of sand on the massive beach of democracy?
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Electoral College: Your Vote Matters Less in Presidential Elections
- From Art Carden
By Art Carden - Economics Professor, Rhodes College
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The Electorial College decides
The EC is the electorate that really decides the presidential election. There are really no laws on the books in the Constitution or by the state that requires the EC to vote the way of the people. If a state votes for on candidate, there is a chance that the electors could vote for the other person. It is the choice of the elector.
- Iraqvet
October 16, 2008 4:49PM
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I agree with Iraqvet!
And that's why we must push for the abolition of the Electoral College ASAP, because I live in a state (Texas) that is Republican dominated even though I plan to vote Democratic this year. It is upsetting to think my vote and support for Barack Obama will amount to nothing! Free the elections! Let the PEOPLE, not an elite group, decide!
- Dale Husband
October 16, 2008 5:32PM
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I disagree with Dale Husband
If we were to go to a popular vote then the elections would be pretty much decided by the four largest cities in the country. All other states would not matter. This makes sure that every state has some say in the election.
- Iraqvet
October 16, 2008 5:57PM
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No way!
"If we were to go to a popular vote then the elections would be pretty much decided by the four largest cities in the country."
Why? That argument would only make sense if all four largest cities voted the same way every time. Cultural and industrial differences between them makes that unlikely.
"All other states would not matter. This makes sure that every state has some say in the election."
Why? That makes no sense, really. If a state is known to be leaning towards the Democrats under the present system, there is no reason for the Republican candidate to bother with it, and vice versa. Having Presidents elected by popular vote forces the candidates of both major parties to work that much harder to win votes in every single state.
- Dale Husband
October 16, 2008 11:57PM
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electoral votes
"If we were to go to a popular vote then the elections would be pretty much decided by the four largest cities in the country. All other states would not matter. This makes sure that every state has some say in the election ."
Every state does not have the same say. California has 55 electoral votes, while Wyoming has 3. In fact it's grossly disproportionate. California has approx 33million people while Wyoming has approx 500,000. So proportionately speaking a person in wyoming have a greater voice then a person in California.
Moreover If the largest cities in california carry the state to the democratic candidate then all the republic votes are essentially ignored and their electoral college votes go to a democrat.
both of these examples show a gross misrepresentation by the electoral college.
- Serothis
March 24, 2009 10:43PM
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