Current Events > Should the United States get rid of the Electoral College?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Should the United States get rid of the Electoral College?
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Yes and replace with a runoff system similar to France
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Well, since the US now has a president who is opposed to the electoral college, it's possible

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/266038556504494082
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Something something California, something something farmers
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frozenshock posted...

Well, since the US now has a president who is opposed to the electoral college, it's possible

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/266038556504494082

So did Obama.
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Nah, makes things much more exciting. Instead of one election, we get 50.
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Bump
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yes. just do straight numbers votes. the whole concept of the electoral college only made sense like 200 years ago. it's not needed anymore. get rid of that, and also daylight savings.

No. The EC is a necessity for a country made up of states so that everyone has equal representation. Take this last election for instance to see why its so important: a candadite literally ignored a huge section of america while the other focused on them. The EC forces the presidents to campaign on policies that will benefit the most demographys and ultimately benefits the majoriry of the country.

With that said, its not for every country but its perfect for us and thus far hasnt failed us. Until it does, we should just leave it alone

Get rid of unreasonable and frequent gerrymandering and the electoral college. The two party system is a sham and needs to die, most of all.
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We should drastically reduce the power of the federal government over states, that way it won't matter so much whether we go by electoral or popular votes.
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Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

No. The EC is a necessity for a country made up of states so that everyone has equal representation. Take this last election for instance to see why its so important: a candadite literally ignored a huge section of america while the other focused on them. The EC forces the presidents to campaign on policies that will benefit the most demographys and ultimately benefits the majoriry of the country.

With that said, its not for every country but its perfect for us and thus far hasnt failed us. Until it does, we should just leave it alone

People don't have equal representation with the electoral college.
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Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

No. The EC is a necessity for a country made up of states so that everyone has equal representation. Take this last election for instance to see why its so important: a candadite literally ignored a huge section of america while the other focused on them. The EC forces the presidents to campaign on policies that will benefit the most demographys and ultimately benefits the majoriry of the country.

With that said, its not for every country but its perfect for us and thus far hasnt failed us. Until it does, we should just leave it alone

But you can focus on a few states and ignore the rest and still win with this system. Your vote doesn't even truly matter with the EC, as they can vote for whoever they want, regardless of who wins the state.
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CableZL posted...

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

No. The EC is a necessity for a country made up of states so that everyone has equal representation. Take this last election for instance to see why its so important: a candadite literally ignored a huge section of america while the other focused on them. The EC forces the presidents to campaign on policies that will benefit the most demographys and ultimately benefits the majoriry of the country.

With that said, its not for every country but its perfect for us and thus far hasnt failed us. Until it does, we should just leave it alone

People don't have equal representation with the electoral college.

Yes they do. And even if you want to go with the faulty line of reasoning of some votes meaning more, hillary literally ignored a whole belt of the country. Trump didnt. All politicians will focus on big states, we dont need someone in power who is basically telling a large portion of the country they dont matter. The current system is better because of that regard

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

No. The EC is a necessity for a country made up of states so that everyone has equal representation.

your vote only matters if you're in a swing state
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LordRazziel posted...

Your vote doesn't even truly matter with the EC

only if you live in a swing state, then it matters. swing states control the country. people complain about texas and california but it's the swing states who decide each election.

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

And even if you want to go with the faulty line of reasoning of some votes meaning more

It's a mathematical fact that some people's votes mean more with the current electoral college system.
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LordRazziel posted...

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

No. The EC is a necessity for a country made up of states so that everyone has equal representation. Take this last election for instance to see why its so important: a candadite literally ignored a huge section of america while the other focused on them. The EC forces the presidents to campaign on policies that will benefit the most demographys and ultimately benefits the majoriry of the country.

With that said, its not for every country but its perfect for us and thus far hasnt failed us. Until it does, we should just leave it alone

But you can focus on a few states and ignore the rest and still win with this system. Your vote doesn't even truly matter with the EC, as they can vote for whoever they want, regardless of who wins the state.

That isnt true, or Hillary wouldn't have lost so bad since that literally is how she campaigned. Trump actually focused on more states thus more demographys thus a better result for everyone

CableZL posted...

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

And even if you want to go with the faulty line of reasoning of some votes meaning more

It's a mathematical fact that some people's votes mean more with the current electoral college system.

Except it doesnt because you are ignoring other variables. People in Texas have a better quality of life than people in Wyoming. Wyoming deserves more say because texas will be fine either way but Wyoming? Not so much. I mean ome candadite was telling people that they were gonna lose jobs and there was nothing she was gonna do about it. The fact is is that smaller states do deserve more say because they are effected more

Zikten posted...

LordRazziel posted...

Your vote doesn't even truly matter with the EC

only if you live in a swing state, then it matters. swing states control the country. people complain about texas and california but it's the swing states who decide each election.

What I mean is the EC can vote for whoever they want, regardless of who won in the polls. You cast your vote, then they decide if they want to vote for the person that won, however, they could vote for Carrot Top, were they so inclined. That would be the vote that really counted.
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We should get rid of the Electoral College and then make it so that an actual majority of the total voting age population has to vote for a candidate for them to win. IE, 60 or more percent of EVERYONE eligible to vote, not just of the people who go to vote.
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Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

Except it doesnt because you are ignoring other variables. People in Texas have a better quality of life than people in Wyoming. Wyoming deserves more say because texas will be fine either way but Wyoming? Not so much. I mean ome candadite was telling people that they were gonna lose jobs and there was nothing she was gonna do about it. The fact is is that smaller states do deserve more say because they are effected more

It's not Texas' fault that Wyoming has a worse quality of life. Also, you're actually explaining that people don't actually have equal representation with the current electoral college system.
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Proportional distribution of electoral votes based on the popular vote in the state gives both sides kind of what they want but I dont expect hacks to like compromise. Everything has to be hyperpartisan nowadays sigh.
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ItsVinceRusso posted...

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

No. The EC is a necessity for a country made up of states so that everyone has equal representation.

your vote only matters if you're in a swing state

As opposed to popular vote where only California and New York would matter.
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CableZL posted...

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

Except it doesnt because you are ignoring other variables. People in Texas have a better quality of life than people in Wyoming. Wyoming deserves more say because texas will be fine either way but Wyoming? Not so much. I mean ome candadite was telling people that they were gonna lose jobs and there was nothing she was gonna do about it. The fact is is that smaller states do deserve more say because they are effected more

It's not Texas' fault that Wyoming has a worse quality of life. Also, you're actually explaining that people don't actually have equal representation with the current electoral college system.

Because it evens the playing field

voldothegr8 posted...

As opposed to popular vote where only California and New York would matter.

Conservatives keep repeating this even though it doesn't actually make sense. States wouldn't decide anything with a popular vote model. The people would be directly voting for who they want. Individual conservative votes in states like Maine, New York, California, Oregon, and Washington would be counted just like individual liberal votes in states like Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Mississippi, and Alabama would be counted.
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Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

Because it evens the playing field

It actually makes the playing field (representation) uneven.
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The better idea is to get rid of the popular vote, and limit the scope of presidential authority back to a strict interpretation of Article 2.

CableZL posted...

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

Because it evens the playing field

It actually makes the playing field (representation) uneven.

It literally doesnt. That states that actually need the say more unlike other states that would be just fine either way(california, new york, texas, florida) actually get to be heard. It makes it more even than the alternative.

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

It literally doesnt. That states that actually need the say more unlike other states that would be just fine either way(california, new york, texas, florida) actually get to be heard. It makes it more even than the alternative.

It literally does because individuals in more populated states have less representation than individuals in lesser populated states. That literally means you have unequal representation.
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voldothegr8 posted...

As opposed to popular vote where only California and New York would matter.

Cali and NY make up less than 20% of the US population, and thats assuming 100% of their residents vote for a single candidate

you also ignore Texas and Florida(both of which are bigger than NY) for some reason
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CableZL posted...

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

It literally doesnt. That states that actually need the say more unlike other states that would be just fine either way(california, new york, texas, florida) actually get to be heard. It makes it more even than the alternative.

It literally does because individuals in more populated states have less representation than individuals in lesser populated states. That literally means you have unequal representation.

Those people in more populated states dont need it. We are a country that gives minorities more opportunity to equal the playing field, we dont actively try to widen the gap.

EC isn't perfect but its much better than pure numbers popularity vote. I think EC should be changed to something a bit different - just not popularity vote.
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Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

Those people in more populated states dont need it.

Says who? People in states with higher populations shouldn't be penalized just because people in lesser-populated states can't find ways to improve their standard of living.
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CableZL posted...

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

Those people in more populated states dont need it.

Says who? People in states with higher populations shouldn't be penalized just because people in lesser-populated states can't find ways to improve their standard of living.

How did you feel about that prop 8 vote in california then, several years ago? Would you have been ok with the popular vote then?

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

How did you feel about that prop 8 vote in california then, several years ago? Would you have been ok with the popular vote then?

I disagree with the idea that individual states in the US can decide how they handle human rights and civil rights issues in the first place. "Whether or not gay people are allowed to get married" shouldn't be a thing that you have to decide on when living in certain areas of the US. It forces some to have to pack up and move to another state to be treated equally.
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CableZL posted...

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

How did you feel about that prop 8 vote in california then, several years ago? Would you have been ok with the popular vote then?

I disagree with the idea that individual states in the US can decide how they handle human rights and civil rights issues in the first place. "Whether or not gay people are allowed to get married" shouldn't be a thing that you have to decide on when living in certain areas of the US. It forces some to have to pack up and move to another state to be treated equally.

How is that any different than the popular vote? Is it fair to force someone to pack up and move to a different country because other people may or may not have decided poorly?

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

How is that any different than the popular vote? Is it fair to force someone to pack up and move to a different country because other people may or may not have decided poorly?

That's happening right now with the electoral college system in place. Trump's Muslim ban affected many legal US residents who leave/re-enter the country.
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Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

CableZL posted...

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

How did you feel about that prop 8 vote in california then, several years ago? Would you have been ok with the popular vote then?

I disagree with the idea that individual states in the US can decide how they handle human rights and civil rights issues in the first place. "Whether or not gay people are allowed to get married" shouldn't be a thing that you have to decide on when living in certain areas of the US. It forces some to have to pack up and move to another state to be treated equally.

How is that any different than the popular vote? Is it fair to force someone to pack up and move to a different country because other people may or may not have decided poorly?

How's it any different from 'dry' counties, really?

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

CableZL posted...

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

How did you feel about that prop 8 vote in california then, several years ago? Would you have been ok with the popular vote then?

I disagree with the idea that individual states in the US can decide how they handle human rights and civil rights issues in the first place. "Whether or not gay people are allowed to get married" shouldn't be a thing that you have to decide on when living in certain areas of the US. It forces some to have to pack up and move to another state to be treated equally.

How is that any different than the popular vote? Is it fair to force someone to pack up and move to a different country because other people may or may not have decided poorly?

And how would an EC style vote have helped in the prop 8 vote?
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frozenshock posted...

Well, since the US now has a president who is opposed to the electoral college, it's possible

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/266038556504494082

He's only president because of the electoral college.
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LordRazziel posted...

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

CableZL posted...

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

How did you feel about that prop 8 vote in california then, several years ago? Would you have been ok with the popular vote then?

I disagree with the idea that individual states in the US can decide how they handle human rights and civil rights issues in the first place. "Whether or not gay people are allowed to get married" shouldn't be a thing that you have to decide on when living in certain areas of the US. It forces some to have to pack up and move to another state to be treated equally.

How is that any different than the popular vote? Is it fair to force someone to pack up and move to a different country because other people may or may not have decided poorly?

And how would an EC style vote have helped in the prop 8 vote?

Because the EC gives minorities that would be effected(in that case, homosexuals) more say in the matter. This benefits society as a whole.

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

Because the EC gives minorities that would be effected(in that case, homosexuals) more say in the matter. This benefits society as a whole.

What? The electoral college doesn't apply to a state voting on an issue that only applies to that state.
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CableZL posted...

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

Because the EC gives minorities that would be effected(in that case, homosexuals) more say in the matter. This benefits society as a whole.

What? The electoral college doesn't apply to a state voting on an issue that only applies to that state.

Yes it does. A state is made up of cities and counties that vote to effect that state just like a country is made up if states that vote to effect that country. Its literally the same concept

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

LordRazziel posted...

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

CableZL posted...

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

How did you feel about that prop 8 vote in california then, several years ago? Would you have been ok with the popular vote then?

I disagree with the idea that individual states in the US can decide how they handle human rights and civil rights issues in the first place. "Whether or not gay people are allowed to get married" shouldn't be a thing that you have to decide on when living in certain areas of the US. It forces some to have to pack up and move to another state to be treated equally.

How is that any different than the popular vote? Is it fair to force someone to pack up and move to a different country because other people may or may not have decided poorly?

And how would an EC style vote have helped in the prop 8 vote?

Because the EC gives minorities that would be effected(in that case, homosexuals) more say in the matter. This benefits society as a whole.

So, then you only focus your campaigning and le legislation on the most influential group(s), and ignore the majority of people?
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Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

No. The EC is a necessity for a country made up of states so that everyone has equal representation. Take this last election for instance to see why its so important: a candadite literally ignored a huge section of america while the other focused on them. The EC forces the presidents to campaign on policies that will benefit the most demographys and ultimately benefits the majoriry of the country.

With that said, its not for every country but its perfect for us and thus far hasnt failed us. Until it does, we should just leave it alone

EC makes it so swing states are the only votes that matter.
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Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

Yes it does. A state is made up of cities and counties that vote to effect that state just like a country is made up if states that vote to effect that country. Its literally the same concept

No it doesn't.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_College_(United_States)

The United States Electoral College is the mechanism established by the United States Constitution for the election of the president and vice president of the United States by small groups of appointed representatives, electors, from each state and the District of Columbia.

The electoral college has no say in local city/state issues. The electoral college is only used for presidential elections. Prop 8, for example, only counted popular vote totals statewide as the deciding factor.
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Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

CableZL posted...

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

Because the EC gives minorities that would be effected(in that case, homosexuals) more say in the matter. This benefits society as a whole.

What? The electoral college doesn't apply to a state voting on an issue that only applies to that state.

Yes it does. A state is made up of cities and counties that vote to effect that state just like a country is made up if states that vote to effect that country. Its literally the same concept

They don't use that system in those kinds of votes, though.
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sktgamer_13dude posted...

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

No. The EC is a necessity for a country made up of states so that everyone has equal representation. Take this last election for instance to see why its so important: a candadite literally ignored a huge section of america while the other focused on them. The EC forces the presidents to campaign on policies that will benefit the most demographys and ultimately benefits the majoriry of the country.

With that said, its not for every country but its perfect for us and thus far hasnt failed us. Until it does, we should just leave it alone

EC makes it so swing states are the only votes that matter.

Every state is a potential swing state.

LordRazziel posted...

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

LordRazziel posted...

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

CableZL posted...

Y2J0_sHBK_Blue posted...

I disagree with the idea that individual states in the US can decide how they handle human rights and civil rights issues in the first place. "Whether or not gay people are allowed to get married" shouldn't be a thing that you have to decide on when living in certain areas of the US. It forces some to have to pack up and move to another state to be treated equally.

How is that any different than the popular vote? Is it fair to force someone to pack up and move to a different country because other people may or may not have decided poorly?

And how would an EC style vote have helped in the prop 8 vote?

Because the EC gives minorities that would be effected(in that case, homosexuals) more say in the matter. This benefits society as a whole.

So, then you only focus your campaigning and le legislation on the most influential group(s), and ignore the majority of people?

No. The majority still get a say, minorities just need a little more say to even the odds.

Jesus, Trump slurpers never cease to amaze me with their stupid comments and arguments.
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