Posted on 11/09/2016 6:52:31 PM PST by daniel1212
"And the system technically allows the electors to hijack the result, since it is not certain the electors will vote the way their state does.
Although around 30 of the 50 states have passed laws that mean their electors must vote according to the popular vote in their state the punishment for not doing so is can merely be a fine. This means they could potentially defy the electorate's choice." http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-elections/electoral-college-how-does-it-work-us-election-day-2016-states-votes-donald-trump-hilalry-clinton-a7404086.html
(Excerpt) Read more at majorityrights.com ...
I have wondered whether you need an “elector”...would there be an advantage to having the electoral vote be automatic and not requiring a person to actually cast it?
I also like the congressional district idea and the overall winner getting the two extra votes.
In any event, the Electoral College concept is doing its job.
Also wish the states would be the ones choosing senators again. There would always be the check of the people of that state in the election of their own state reps (should the states themselves stop representing their own constituents).
Yep. It has saved us from Gore and Clinton presidencies.
Yes, it’s the best system for this country.. otherwise, all the power would be centered on a few mega-cities. The Americans who truly make this country work would be screwed.
On second though, perhaps apportion electoral votes by county. Heh-heh-heh...
and it begins.. just like 2000..
It was put in place to insure we were a Representative Republic instead of a Democracy. They knew that Democracy is two foxes and a chicken discussing what was for dinner and yet we still have some on FR that want to undo it because there has been a time or two when it would have worked in our favor to be a “Democracy”.
Though it was initially put in place to insure “regional balance” and to assure that individual states have a proper say, today the most important aspect of the electoral college is that it forces candidates to campaign outside the big city media markets.
Were it not for the electoral college, Chicago, NYC, Los Angeles, San Fran, Seattle, Houston, etc., would be the only places choosing the president. You think they pay little attention to “fly-over country” now?... that vast region of our nation would be completely invisible to them.
To this end, the purpose of the electoral college was to appoint a man of nationwide reputation unbeholden to factions or political parties.
Only then, when Presidents didn't owe political debts, could they be expected to fulfil their duty to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
The Framers would recoil at the idea of limiting the practical vote of state electors to one of two nominees of outright political factions.
Thank you - so many of your posts are truly educational.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.