If presidential elections were decided by popular vote instead of the Electoral College, Al Gore would have been elected president in 2000. How we choose a president profoundly impacts how campaigns are run, the importance of swing states and an election’s outcome. It’s certainly no surprise that the Electoral College vs. popular vote controversy has sparked considerable debate. As the issue surfaces heading into November, is it time to graduate from the Founding Father's Electoral College concept, or are popularity contests no way to choose a president?
Please select the category that most closely reflects your concern about this content,
so that we can review it and determine whether it violates Civility 101 or isn't
appropriate for some other reason.
Abusing this feature is also a violation of Civility 101.
Explanation:
The degree to which national parties have become involved in state election machinery obviates this argument. National fraud is already a distinct possibility, and combatting fraud might be easier if the rules were consistent.
Since you mention political machines, a national system would give a voice to all the staunch conservatives in IL that get lost in the volume of the windy city.
Your titanic analogy is graphic, but it has no real strength in this situation.
- Adam Hammond
September 3, 2008 5:01PM
Reply to this
Recommend
(0)
Side: Electoral College
Fraud has to happen somewhere; that is, fraudulent votes come in at a precinct or county level. Thus it is unclear what you really mean by "national fraud." If you mean fraud with national ramifications, that is, election fraud effecting the outcome of a presidential election, then you are correct to say that it is possible. My point was not that it was impossible, but that the Electoral College most often decreases the incentives for "national fraud" and compartmentalizes it within individual states where it is perpetrated. The Electoral College is a firewall, making presidential elections more secure and reliable.
What might 1880 have been like without it?
- Evergreen Freedom Foundation September 8, 2008 3:47PM
Reply to this
Recommend
(0)
Side: Uncommitted
Biweekly updates on new debates and experts
Please check your email to confirm your subscription.
© 2008 Opposing Views, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Opposing Views, Inc. is not responsible for the content posted on this website. Please view full disclaimer under Terms
Possibility of Recounts Would Be Reduced By a National Popular Vote
- From National Popular Vote
By National Popular Vote - To Implement a Popular Election
Thank You for your Comment
We review all comments before they're posted. For more on our comment policy, please see our FAQ.