Electoral College, love it or leave it?

RFTCRFTC Posts: 723
edited September 2012 in A Moving Train
Have not seen this discussed here and i posted something earlier regarding the dynamics for the 2012 election, that thread got locked about 3 minutes later...(due to some other animated discussions)

so who here supports the electoral college and whom does not? would like to read the differing opinions.

btw, 270towin.com is a pretty interactive & historical site that i recently found.
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Comments

  • keeponrockinkeeponrockin Posts: 7,446
    I don't know why they just don't do a popular vote. Seems to make the most sense.
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  • RFTCRFTC Posts: 723
    I don't know why they just don't do a popular vote. Seems to make the most sense.

    agreed, does it not disenfranchise a dem in texas or a republican in say, vermont that their vote is basically meaningless? how bout the states closing poles late, when the media is reporting a win and the individual voter, says "ahh fk it,".

    i get the original intent is to have candidates campaign broadly and NOT just focus on the most populist states, but feel it only magnifies the emphasis of mega funding campaigns in just a handful of the 'swing states'...
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    MGM Grand - Jul 6, 2006
    Cox Arena - Jul 7, 2006
    New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival - May 1, 2010
    Alpine Valley Music Theater - Sep 3-4 2011
    Made In America, Philly - Sep 2, 2012
    EV, Houston - Nov 12-13, 2012
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    OKC-November 2013
    ACL 2-October 2014
    Fenway Night 1, August 2016
    Wrigley, Night 1 August 2018
  • Who PrincessWho Princess out here in the fields Posts: 7,305
    I read recently that this is something that should have gone away after the Civil War. The Electoral College was originally designed to assist states that had slavery. Those states typically had lower populations, at least of white, property-owning males, who were the only people allowed to vote. The EC allowed those states to have more representation in elections so that the Union wasn't dominated by the interests of the non-slave states. It was a sort of compromise by the Founding Fathers that postponed making a national decision about slavery. What I read was only a brief description and I don't understand all the details, but it made me curious enough to want to learn more about it.

    Anyway, for whatever reasons it came about, I think it's long past time to get read of the Electoral College.
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  • mikepegg44mikepegg44 Posts: 3,353
    RFTC wrote:
    Have not seen this discussed here and i posted something earlier regarding the dynamics for the 2012 election, that thread got locked about 3 minutes later...(due to some other animated discussions)

    so who here supports the electoral college and whom does not? would like to read the differing opinions.

    btw, 270towin.com is a pretty interactive & historical site that i recently found.


    In one sense, I think it is a popular vote. It is a popular vote in the state you choose to live in. We are not the united STATE of america. Each state should have at least a little factor in the election. Otherwise you could probably win an election by dominating in the top ten most populous urban areas. I think it is something like 80% of the population live in urban areas. Those other 20% would never matter, ever. The system isn't perfect, but then again neither is a popular vote. I would rather take the limitations of the electoral college than the limitations of the popular vote.
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  • know1know1 Posts: 6,762
    Get rid of it. There is no need.
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  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,121
    Get rid of it. The candidates only kiss ass in swing states such as Ohio.
  • At one time, it made sense... now it's pointless.

    I do think it can be modified, so that it's not a winner take all for the states. I know a few states do split up the electoral votes, and I think all should. Whether it's by percentage or popular vote in the state, or by what candidate wins each congressional district (which, however could cause more gerrymandering of districts), at least it would make more individual votes meaningful.
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  • Kel VarnsenKel Varnsen Posts: 1,951
    Jason P wrote:
    Get rid of it. The candidates only kiss ass in swing states such as Ohio.

    But from my understanding of it, if it was popular vote wouldn't the candidates only kiss ass in heavily populated areas, like the north east, the midwest, Florida, California and North Texas? Do you think anyone would campaign in smaller states if they weren't places where you could pick up a bunch of electoral votes?
  • JeanwahJeanwah Posts: 6,363
    At one time, it made sense... now it's pointless.
    I agree. Like unions, the electoral college had a purpose when it was started. Now we need to get rid of it.
  • 8181 Needing a ride to Forest Hills and a ounce of weed. Please inquire within. Thanks. Or not. Posts: 58,276
    ditch it
    81 is now off the air

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  • Gern BlanstenGern Blansten Your Mom's Posts: 17,937
    It's absolutely necessary. Otherwise candidates would pander to only the largest cities and everyone else would be screwed.

    plus....it's part of that thing we call "The Constitution"
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  • It's absolutely necessary. Otherwise candidates would pander to only the largest cities and everyone else would be screwed.

    plus....it's part of that thing we call "The Constitution"

    But now they only pander to the swing states, so is that much better?
    My whole life
    was like a picture
    of a sunny day
    “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
    ― Abraham Lincoln
  • Gern BlanstenGern Blansten Your Mom's Posts: 17,937
    It's absolutely necessary. Otherwise candidates would pander to only the largest cities and everyone else would be screwed.

    plus....it's part of that thing we call "The Constitution"

    But now they only pander to the swing states, so is that much better?

    In a close election they will....but it is rare to have the popular vote not match the electoral results

    Imagine the manipulation that could occur with a popular vote....especially as exit poll data started being reported
    Remember the Thomas Nine !! (10/02/2018)

    1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago
    2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy
    2013: London ON, Chicago; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE)
    2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston
    2020: Oakland, Oakland:  2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana
    2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville
  • SatansFutonSatansFuton Posts: 5,399
    plus....it's part of that thing we call "The Constitution"

    Yeah, but that's why we amend the Constitution. If we just left the Constitution the way it was written then women and minorities wouldn't be allowed to vote, slavery would be legal, there would be no term limit for Presidents, and so on. Just because the Constitution says something, doesn't mean it can NEVER be changed less we abandon it, it's not set in stone.
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  • RFTCRFTC Posts: 723
    It's absolutely necessary. Otherwise candidates would pander to only the largest cities and everyone else would be screwed"

    i agree but at same time, some larger states are completely conceded in the current system. someone mentioned the split vote that maybe 2 states currently use, nebraska & maine? not sure how they broke off from all or none structure. would that not be a compromise?
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    Cox Arena - Jul 7, 2006
    New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival - May 1, 2010
    Alpine Valley Music Theater - Sep 3-4 2011
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    EV, Houston - Nov 12-13, 2012
    Dallas-November 2013
    OKC-November 2013
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  • FlaggFlagg Posts: 5,856
    Leave it and go with the popular vote. I don't really feel like voting for the president most of the time because of the Electoral College. My state is going red pretty much no matter what so what difference does it make if I vote Republican or Democrat. It makes the entire presidential election a battle for the few swing states.
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  • polaris_xpolaris_x Posts: 13,559
    In a close election they will....but it is rare to have the popular vote not match the electoral results

    Imagine the manipulation that could occur with a popular vote....especially as exit poll data started being reported

    gore won the popular vote vs. bush ...
  • LikeAnOceanLikeAnOcean Posts: 7,718
    I'm on the fence on this. I'm pretty sure the electoral college is meant to keep hystaria from electing a president.. For example, lets say 51% of the population live in California. Those 51% unanimously vote for a guy who is going to invest all of the countries money and resources into fixing California and ignore the rest of the nation.. Basically it keeps everything in check..


    On the other hand I agree that if you live in a state that always swings one way, your vote doesn't feel like it makes much a difference in the final result..
  • know1know1 Posts: 6,762
    It's absolutely necessary. Otherwise candidates would pander to only the largest cities and everyone else would be screwed.

    plus....it's part of that thing we call "The Constitution"

    Candidates are actually on TV and internet these days if you can believe it. They weren't when the electoral college was instituted.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,121
    I think "Term Limits" is a more important issue to address then the electoral college, now that I think about it.
  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 40,596
    It really is amazing that the Electoral College still exists. This reminds me of the first thing my first college instructor told us during the first Education class I took at Sonoma State which was basically that institutions are static and that we should not expect to be able to see or make changes happen in anything but a very slow manner... if ever. Talk about a burst bubble.

    Never-the-less, I say dump the E.C. and go with popular vote.
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  • RFTCRFTC Posts: 723
    know1 wrote:
    It's absolutely necessary. Otherwise candidates would pander to only the largest cities and everyone else would be screwed.

    plus....it's part of that thing we call "The Constitution"

    Candidates are actually on TV and internet these days if you can believe it. They weren't when the electoral college was instituted.


    ding, ding, ding, after original post, i was like, we HAVE freaking evolved to the point that no one should be unaware of a candidates ideology, background, etc.
    San Diego Sports Arena - Oct 25, 2000
    MGM Grand - Jul 6, 2006
    Cox Arena - Jul 7, 2006
    New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival - May 1, 2010
    Alpine Valley Music Theater - Sep 3-4 2011
    Made In America, Philly - Sep 2, 2012
    EV, Houston - Nov 12-13, 2012
    Dallas-November 2013
    OKC-November 2013
    ACL 2-October 2014
    Fenway Night 1, August 2016
    Wrigley, Night 1 August 2018
  • HinnHinn Posts: 1,517
    The bigger question is being missed here...

    if the electoral college is no more, on election night what would the TV pundits do with all that time they'd otherwise spend on explaining how this absurd system works and why it's in place?
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  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 40,596
    Hinn wrote:
    The bigger question is being missed here...

    if the electoral college is no more, on election night what would the TV pundits do with all that time they'd otherwise spend on explaining how this absurd system works and why it's in place?

    No doubt they would find something equally absurd to explain/(not explain).
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • chadwickchadwick up my ass Posts: 21,157
    let's get kat and sea to shut the thread i fired up shut down and use this thread... i did a search and nothing came up when starting the thread.
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  • Johnny AbruzzoJohnny Abruzzo Philly Posts: 10,315
    I posted this a few months ago:

    http://community.pearljam.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=185851&p=4319713&hilit=NATIONAL+POPULAR+VOTE#p4319713

    If you don't like the electoral college write your state reps & governor and tell them to adopt the NPV initiative. They will probably get back to you and let you know if/why they do or don't support it.
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  • mikepegg44mikepegg44 Posts: 3,353
    polaris_x wrote:
    In a close election they will....but it is rare to have the popular vote not match the electoral results

    Imagine the manipulation that could occur with a popular vote....especially as exit poll data started being reported

    gore won the popular vote vs. bush ...


    and that was the 4th time it has happened in 200+ years


    I think the problems with EC are much more muted than what would happen to presidential politics if they changed to merely a popular vote.

    we are a federalist system, any attempts to change that are suspect in my opinion of course. I see the reason people want a change, I just don't think anyone would like the new system any more...do we really want major metropolitan areas and large populated regions getting all the empty promises?
    that’s right! Can’t we all just get together and focus on our real enemies: monogamous gays and stem cells… - Ned Flanders
    It is terrifying when you are too stupid to know who is dumb
    - Joe Rogan
  • chadwickchadwick up my ass Posts: 21,157
    please i am begging for someone/anyne to help me understand how our votes matter. the electoral college is unfair, out of control, and not understood. wtf? i am actually upset because all this time i thought our votes mattered when in fact they do not matter at all. what the hell is going on with the brain washing of us all?
    for poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7

    "Hear me, my chiefs!
    I am tired; my heart is
    sick and sad. From where
    the sun stands I will fight
    no more forever."

    Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
  • rollingsrollings unknown Posts: 7,124
    Some people need their brains washed.

    It's all the dirty minds in this great country of ours
  • chadwickchadwick up my ass Posts: 21,157
    don't forget... rock the vote!
    for poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7

    "Hear me, my chiefs!
    I am tired; my heart is
    sick and sad. From where
    the sun stands I will fight
    no more forever."

    Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
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