On Thursday, Sen. Bill Nelson, D-FL, proposed an overhaul of America’s presidential election laws that included awarding the presidency based on popular vote, instead of using the Electoral College. “The goal is simple: one person, one vote,” Nelson said.
Many people, however, don’t know much about the Electoral College, but this will explain how the electoral college system works and what role your vote will play.
A BRIEF HISTORY
Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution first designed the Electoral College and stated that each state was allocated a number of electors equal to the number of its U.S. Senators (always 2) plus the number of its U.S. Representatives. It was supposed to work without political parties and without national campaigns while maintaining balance.
It lasted through only four elections following the emergence of political parties, when in 1800, Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr (both of the Democratic-Republican Party) received the same number of votes. The tie was resolved by the House of Representatives after 36 tries and led to the Twelfth Amendment.
The Twelfth Amendment requires that each elector cast a single vote for president and a separate vote for vice president rather than casting two votes for president with the runner-up being made vice president. The Amendment also stipulates that if no one receives an absolute majority of electoral votes for president, the U.S. House of Representatives will select the president from among the top three candidates with each state casting one vote. If no one receives an absolute majority for vice president, the U.S. Senate will select the vice president from among the top two candidates.
CHOOSING ELECTORS
Although the individual party candidates for elector are seldom listed on the ballot, the expression “Electors for” usually appears on the ballot in front of each set of candidates for president and vice president, or else the state law specifies that votes cast for candidates are to be counted as being for the delegates pledged to those candidates). For this reason, voters are actually casting a vote for the electors of presidential and vice presidential candidates rather than the candidates themselves.
I’m voting hilary.
barackthevote!
The electoral college is a adequate system being that a system based on popular vote would further marginalize smaller states.
The only change they need with the popular vote is that the people within the electoral college should be required to follow the popular vote of their state. As it is now, they are not required to follow the popular vote of their state.
I do agree with Senator Nelson that the primary processes need to be overhauled. All contests need to be condensed into a two month period instead of this mess we have now.
Instead of having Iowa vote before New Hampsire. I believe that Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina should all vote on the same day.
I agree with Mr. Anderson
also a major reason why people feel that their vote doesn’t count is because electorates don’t always vote in agreement with the popular vote. That is a conspiracy in itself.
THANK U SO MUCH 4 THIS POST!!! i never really understood the electoral vote or what role i played, finally someone has explained in a way i can understand…THANKS CL!!!
I, like #5, also agree with Mr. Anderson. The members of the electoral college should be required to vote with the popular vote. That’s the one thing that has always bothered me about the set up of the EC.
I also think that the census should be held every 5 years instead of 10. Sure, that would cost quite a few pennies, but it would better represent the population of the states. Both California and NY have lost residents over the years due to crazy taxes and higher costs of living.
Wow that was deep… It seems to be just another way that allows people to cheat.
Elections weren’t made complicated in middle school when voting for class president and it shouldn’t be made complicated now.
At first I HATED the electoral college because they don’t always follow the popular vote. I don’t understand how you can say you’re voting for the ppl but in return vote against them. Its like… why vote at all. But now that I’m older, I understand that’s a BAD association. So I think #3 is EXACT. I think they should be required to vote for the popular vote. I know the bad side to that is not all votes are actual votes. Some votes are just to keep a person out OR based on popularity and that’s NEVER good for the country. So the only reason I would exclude that MAJOR con is to learn responsibility. I think most Americans have problems with being responsible for their actions and this would help growth. So the phrase “you voted for them America!” would be 100% true and the results would be 100% on us.
I just appreciate the breakdown although I am still not sure of what I prefer.
At least I know exactly what’s what now and with more thought I can compare the differences and make my mind up.
Appreciate it.
Your posts have been an amazing addition to CL.
I agree with Nelson. The electorial college is an antiquated system that was put in place when people were not “trusted” with their vote. The popular vote should be the ONLY vote that counts. One person, one vote. I do not understand how that would marginalize states with a small number of people. Each person would get their vote counted, no matter who or where they are. That is the only fair way!
FINALLY Someone TELLS LIKE IT IS!
I have been waiting for this day for a while. A person with the balls to finally propose working legislation that would make the presidential election fair for the more popular candidate. This electoral college makes the popular vote out to be futile. No sense in voting if someone’s doing the voting for us.
If we had gotten rid of the electoral college back in the 2000 then AL GORE would have been made President based on the popular vote alone. He shitted all over Bush but of course due to voting ballot fraud in Florida (which just happens to be a state where Bush’s brother is GOVERNOR, Hmmmm) he lost. Everyone thought Bush would be a better President. But look at us now! Imagine how much more pleasant the world would be under the Gore Administration.
Former President Bill Clinton also wanted to overhaul the electoral college but didn’t think it could get passed.
I hope it works this time around b4 the election. Then for sure Hillary or Barack will definitely win this election. I’d take either two over McCain, a watered down version of Bush who claims to “put the county before his party” yet he has no problem changing his views for support from the Republican Party.
HILLARY OR BARACK, PEOPLE. I personally think Barack’s chances are a bit damaged b/c of his pastor’s remarks. They’ve confused people and left a bad taste in their mouths. Perhaps with Hillary as President the look of those two would be more appealing.
Based on the popular vote alone, Hillary and Barack would clean HOUSE. McCain and his possible running mate Condoleeza Rice would lose fair and square
I can’t believe people still on Barack’s pastor.We sure did forget when that woman who was associated with Hilary was said and forgiving.The media is biased so I’m not surprised.It’s been 2 weeks now?Anybody would know that in Barack’s case that your pastor doesn’t influence your vote.People playing stupid now.You you right Nomosoul.
#1 if you voted in the primaries then you allready cast your vote. As it stands now when you vote on election day it’s really just a ritual it has no meaning to it, other than exercising you American Right. I like this proposal only we have to be careful because this could be a trap for them to piggyback some law in that we’re not aware of that they do every year.
Good looking out Concreteloop! I know a lot of people who didn’t pay attention is High School government that needed this.
That was so journalistically responsible of ya’ll! **hugs**
AMEN NO. 8 SHIT AND 15
I think Bill Nelson who supports Hillary think we as African American are stupid. They are trying to take this election from Obama when they know they can’t win by delegates or popular votes. They have threaten Nancy Pelsoi because she’s abiding by the rules and have not endorse any candidate but the Clintons are trying to change them as they go. Well they can go straight to hell because my vote is for Obama. If Hillary would’ve ran a clean campaign, I think it would have been totally different but they can’t help themselves they only know how to play dirty. Obama 08
I didnt understand this until now. Thanks J Dakar. Barack all the way! Yayy!
this was very informative i was wonder how electroral colleges worked please do more of this (explaining how the presidental race actually works)
Good looking out on the political education information.
Still voting Obama regardless of the drama….
Thank you CL for this information. I am glad that you guys are using this platform to educate. I personally would like to see the electoral college abolished. I agree with Ms. Ke and others that this is an old system, and because of it, that’s how we ended up this Bush ( . . .rolling eyes and sucking teeth . . .). Before Florida was declared, Gore led in the Electoral College with 266 votes to Bush’s 246 votes. When Bush was declared the winner of Florida by 537 votes, he picked up 25 Electoral College votes which gave him the Presidency. But Bush only won Florida because of poorly designed butterfly ballots that stole votes from Gore, and because his Florida campaign manager Republican Secretary of State Kathleen Harris and Governor Jeb Bush illegally removed 57,700 voters from the rolls. It is estimated that 90% of them were Democratic. So this represent thousands of votes stolen from Al Gore. If this crime had not been commited then Gore would be President.
The electoral college is sooo outdated and needs to be removed asap. Whatever happened to majority rules? One person should equal one vote, whoever has the most vote wins…Too bad its never gonna happen. If it actually was majority rules, we would have had bush out of the picture a longggg time ago.
I agree with # 20!
Very good thread….and good points …enjoyed reading this…
My vote is for Hillary – “will now begin dodging tomatoes” LOL
Not sure why people (black and white) think just because I am black that by default my vote is for Obama…
I love the look on people’s faces when I thell them I support Hillary…
DJ MUTHA
Since a black man is in the race and appears to being winning…..Let’s change the game plan….That’s sad …Don’t they no GOD is in control ……
Obama is a Presidental Rockstar
Teach em’ Dakar!!
I been trying to say in the end the popular vote doesn’t count, it’s sad, but that is how it is until they get rid of the electoral college. Just in my opinion, cause I have been looking at all this stuff and wish everyone would, it’s going to be hard for Obama to win. Right now I feel there are at least 4 states I think Obama would lose: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, and possibly Michigan. You can get a sense of Pennsylvania with their primary next month. Ohio will go to McCain, because let’s face it was a lot of racism with the white people up there. Florida is a swing state and Obama was a key factor in trying to prevent a revote or a compromise to seat their delegates, and the sames goes with Michigan and those people will remember that. People wanted to get on Hillary about picking and choosing states, when in actuality you have to as a democrat. If Obama thinks all those caucus wins in the midwest will translate to wins in those states in the general, he is crazy. He nor Hillary will carry Idaho, Nebraska, the Dakotas, Kansas, Wyoming, etc… I live in the south, and he nor Hillary will carry Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina. I can’t tell you how many McCain stickers I am seeing on the daily on people’s bumpers. Democrats have to win the core states and some of the swing states. Right now I feel as if Hillary would have a better chance than Obama.
Preach #19!
I learned something AND helpful!
J.D. you have done it again! Well done!!!
OBAMA 08!!!!!!!!!!!!!
well, this is one of the main reasons that i dont even know if im going to waste my time to stand in a long line to vote. i live in NC and our electorial delegates very rarely follow the popular vote. thats why i just cant understand why people who try to get others to register to vote always say, “every vote really counts.” thats not true and thet know that. i know we need to vote but at the end of the day i really dont see the point. ie> everybody know gore shouldve been our president but the people who run this country didnt. obviously they got the result they wanted. i think im just tired of the lies the government spews at us all the time and i cant say i really care anymore. it sucks but after a while you just get sick and tired of being sick and tired.
Great post! I agree with #11
I agree that the EC is an antiquated system and I do believe that the American people should be allowed to decide the presidency based solely on their actual cast ballot. This situation is similar to the superdelegate situation in the dem. primaries where discretion is given to elected or appointed individuals who are supposed to be representative of the majority vote in their state.
With that being said, I would like to ask the people who feel like Barack couldn’t win the general– why do you think Hiliary would fare (fair?) any better? There are people who have made the same claims (“If she gets the nomination I’m moving to Canada…voting for McCain…staying home”). In fact, I read an article this morning saying that the MAJORITY (I’m not saying all) of Barack’s supporters, including blacks, college age students and young white collar america would simply abstain from the vote. I don’t know how true that is if these peoples’ promises to do nothing are really just idle threats. Who knows. Quite honestly I think it really depends on the white-man running mate. I am from Indiana and Evan Bayh (our former govenor) is looking like Hiliary’s boy. But if Barack were to sway John Edwards (not Richardson–I think Hiliary’s people are really upset with him) or even Al Gore to run with him— I don’t think McCain would be such a sure bet. BTW have you heard the party might as Al to be the nominee if this mess isn’t cleared up the convention and propose that Barack be is right hand?
This is all too crazy.
J., your posts are priceless! I appreciate how you always break complex processes down into an easy to understand format. I will be discussing this post with my family members.
In a way I believe this to be a way to sabotage the vote! It is strange that when a woman and black man are on the ballot they want to change procedures after so many years. J Dakar what is your opinion about the change/proposal?
I remember talking about the electoral college in high school government and having the discussion that if someone won the popular vote and didn’t win the electoral college votes, there would be this huge uproar and it would be done away with. Well, this was right before the 2000 election and it failed to happen. I look back and think that so many people are uninformed.
The electoral college was put in place to let the common people vote, but still leave it to the “chosen few” to decide who will be president. It’s this BS of politics that lets you think that you have a voice, but really its let to a very small percentage of people to make the choices of this country.
Now I know that the electors are supposed to vote of the states behave, but really they can do what they want or why else would we just not go with the popular vote? The “Framers/Founding Fathers” of this country knew what they were doing in letting people think they have freedom of making these choses, but really didn’t.
#31, They’ve been talking about this for years, it’s nothing new.
@ # 13 I AGREE IM WATCHING THE VIEW NOW AND THEY STILL TALKING ABOUT THAT PASTOR
Obama was a key factor in trying to prevent a revote or a compromise to seat their delegates, and the sames goes with Michigan and those people will remember that
THATS FALSE….OBAMA DIDNT HAVE THEIR DELEGATES REVOKED….MICHIGAN AND FLORIDA HAD THEIR DELEGATES REVOKED BY NOT FOLLOWING THE RULES…..THEY SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT THEIR CITIZENS WHEN THEY BROKE THE RULES…
ANYWHO HOW IS IT THAT PEOPLE CAN SAY THAT THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE DOESNT FOLLOW THE POPULAR VOTE…..DOES ANYONE EVEN KNOW WHEN THE ELECTORAL VOTES ARE COUNTED? WELL A WHOLE MONTH AFTER THE GENERAL ELECTION, AND TWO WEEKS AFTER THAT CONGRESS COUNT THEM………
thank you for this post. i’ve always found electoral college stuff confusing. and honestly, still not totally clear on it. I think this is part of keeping the average person out of the process, though. make it as confusing as possible. or maybe i’m just dumb
thanks!!!!
AND ALSO THERE ARE LAWS THAT PROHIBIT ELECTORAL COLLEGE FROM VOTING AGAINST THE POPULAR VOTE IN SOME STATES……AND FOR THE ONES THAT DOESNT, TRUST ME VOTING AGAINST THE POPULAR VOTE IS NOT WORTH THE HUMILIATION THEY WILL FACE BY THEIR SURROGATES FOREVER……
EVERYONE IS HOLLERING ABOUT BUSH GORE 2000….GORE DUMB ASS THE ONE THAT WANTED A RECOUNT…..ADN HE KNEW THAT BUSH WOULD WIN IF HE WON FL……IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ELECTORAL COLLEGE CHANGING THEIR VOTE B/C AGAIN I SAY THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE DOESNT CAST THEIR VOTE UNTIL DECEMBER.
THINK OF IT LIKE THIS….THE MORE STATE REPRESENTATIVES YOU HAVE, THE MORE ELECTORAL VOTES YOU HAVE….SO IN ESSENCE IT IS BY POPULATION……..I LIVE IN TEXAS, SO THE CHANCES OF OBAMA OR HILARY WINNING ARE SLIM TO NONE. BUT THE ONLY WAY TO CHANGE THAT IS TO GO OUT AND VOTE.
I live in TX too and it is a RED state… But I’m all for OBAMA
#31: I commend Sen. Nelson for his attempt, and fully support the notion. However, it’s nothing new, probably won’t come into fruition and is only one of many things I’d like to see reformed with the American political system.
“One person, one voice” reflects the idea of majority rule or direct democracy and, unfortunately, the U.S. relies on representative democracy and is a constitutional republic in which majority rule is tempered by minority rights protected by law.
The electoral college (or misinformation about it) has really lessened public confidence in the electoral system, though, because people feel their vote isn’t important. I’ve read a few accounts from people who say they don’t and won’t vote because it won’t matter. It’s a sad state of affairs, but more should be done to educate the people (and to educate themselves) about the political process.
Peace and blessings,
J. Dakar
I agree with #3, the electoral college should be required to vote based on the popular vote. There have been quite a few incidences where the president who won the popular vote did not win the presidency, which defeats the purpose of having a democracy.
This is great! I think that the having this system would force people to vote on a more local level (Mayors, govonors, senators etc) because I don’t think as many people do, and the government officials in the state make decisions and push for stuff that affect us on a regular basis. So this wouldn’t be a bad idea.
On another note…is anybody else wondering why we never “really” learned about the system and how it works in grade school. I’m just saying there’s a lot of stuff we didn’t learn (like basic money management skills and government systems) that I think young people should really know, how many Shakespeare plays did you read in school, and has it really helped any…I’m just sayin
@35
Yes he was, he was holding out on a revote proposition. Cause now he wants to talk negotiations to seat FL and MI delegates. Those people are going to remember that and FL is already controversial anyways. I stick to what I said, I see him for sure losing FL and OH in the general and possibly MI. The results from the PA primary could give a slight indication of how things could go there in a general.
The electoral college should be gone period. The founding fathers deemed it necessary in the formation of the new world. Even though its a contradiction. Popular sovereignty my ass….People wonder how Bush got into power, it was the EC. If 1 person = 1 vote the EC does not need to be there. If everyone has there say why would the electoral college have to vote what the people vote, that just sounds like a waste of time…
Why would the electoral college be forced to vote the same way as the popular vote? Isn’t it obvious that the electoral college was created for the sole purposes of overriding the popular vote, if need be. If the electoral college had to vote the same way as the popular vote for a state, there would be no need for an electoral college.
Time for change. Obama 08!!!
Check this out..
Leonard on Obama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iSkESu4bUY
I agree that there should be a reform in the voting process. The idea of one person one vote is what democracy is. The people are supposed to have the right to choose.
I hear a lot of people saying they won’t vote becaus it won’t count. I also encourage everyone I hear who claims they will not vote because their vote won’t count to vote. Not only in the presidential election but every election. You have to be a part of choosing even the smallest seats in politics, ie aldermans and so on.
For so long we were disenfranchised. People have sacrficed their lives that we might have the opportunity to partake in the process. So why wouldn’t you excercise your right. If they took it away again, what would we do. Bitch and moan about that? Pound our feet and point our fingers? We make change occur by our actions.
Though I would like to see the EC abolished, it reminds me where we are in this country and how much further we have to go.
Thank you Dakar so much for this. Each on Teach on. Now you guys know, spread the word.
Thanks for the info. I always get a little confused about the electoral college.
I like the electorial college. It acts as a balance in voting. Alot of people vote for reason that have nothing to do with the election. Like voting because someone is black or white, or because they are male or female. I live in Texas so I never really had a problem with that except when the congress switch from republican to democratic. We must understand that it doesnt start with the president. We have to select good leaders at the lowest level to ensure that the right electors are appointed. .We look at cities like New Orleans, B-More, Houston, Omaha, Atlanta, and of course LA and we see what can happen if we really give the people the vote. Most people dont ubderstand that you should vote for the canaidate that best serves your issues. I think the thing that is lacking in both SEN Obama and SEN Clinton campagin are the fact that they have zeroed in on a group of people. That was Kerry down fall. He went after young people. ( Who are by record unrelible voters.) When you put youself in a box its hard to get out. Obama with the whole black people change thing may have killed his self by denocing his paster of 20 years. Thats not going to go over with Church goers ( who vote in record numbers) Anyone who reads anything other than this site saw the McCain had almost the same problem with the left wing catholic preist. McCain I think handled it very well and he didnt need to jump out and give a race speech. Obama did so in a way in which the content came very close to saying that all older White people are racist because of who they are, when in most cases is just not true.
Okay first let me vent about the interruptions when trying to read, that brought to you by Ad, is on my last damn nerve! I know ya’ll making money on ADS but seriously, its rude!
Okay, they should get rid of that electoral college thing. This is the first time I understood what the hell was really going on and mind you I’ve taken American Gov’t and Political Science classes. Its bogus and some bullsh*t! Whoever get the majority of the popular vote should win. Make it plain.
Look you all better start praying for Mr.Obama and his family, you black folks tis this is a joke.The Clintons will literally try to destroy this man an they know for security reasons his wife cannot campaign for him like Billcan Hilary. You all better quit playin gna recognize. J Dakkar giving you info is fine but you all better know tis man is standing in faith and courage and he and his family needs our prayers now more than ever. This is no joke. Sometimes we are a disgrace to our selves. Its sad but true and any African American who would align themselves up with anyone who woul dwin by any means necessary is a sad soul. We better start loving ourselves first that is the bottom line and let me tell you and you better know it Hillary hatred for Obama is so real that if she and Bill could kill him and get away with it trust me they would and you better take that to the bank. We are a decieved people and J Dakkar yo know this is the TRUTH!!!!!
lol.. yeah we learned this is my government class. i think its dumb, i dont likey!
#38 – Exactly! If the Electoral College was required to follow the popular vote winner of their state, then the system would the same as solely counting the popular vote. By assigning electoral votes in proportion to the state’s population, the electoral college ensure that candidates don’t only campaign and represent the best interests of the 10 or 20 largest states (like Hillary is trying to do now).
If you only counted the popular vote, why would anyone running for President even bother campaigning in a place like Wyoming and pay any attention to their concerns if they knew they only needed a majority of New York, California, Texas, Florida and Ohio to win?
Exactly!
The electoral college is antiquated, get rid of it. Between that system, and the Bush thefts in two elections, we are in the position we are in today (paraphrasing Richard Pryor’s wino).
Thanks Dakar for the Post! I look forward to seeing your political posts as they keep me well informed and are brief enough for me not to get too bored!!! Keep ‘em coming!!!
I took AP Gov’t & Politics and Int’l Comparative Politics 3 years ago and I remember being upset about the electoral college THEN. I understand the need for the system, so that smaller states don’t get drowned out, but it’s really not fair in the long run…
The electoral college is the only reason that George Bush is in office right now…. I think that as long as it reflects the popular vote, the electoral college is fine … but when it goes against the votes of the people — it’s a broken system.
That’s just my opinion.
THANKS J. Dakar! Thanks so much for all of your much needed information!!
Keep up the good work, I really love CL!!