Question

Thoughts on the Electoral College

Answer 1

@DanielleLove It is a broad topic, perhaps if you have any specific questions to hone it down so it's not too long.

Answer 2

Its very "electrifying"

Answer 3

lol I just wanted to know are people for it or against it, because it seems to be controversial.

Answer 4

There are many semantics to the Electoral College. Those that have an issue with it, at least recently, are typically the Democrats, since you could say 'this is how Hillary Clinton lost.' She won the popular vote by a million or two, but Trump 'smashed' her in the Electoral College.

Answer 5

People have an issue with it because it isn't 'Democratic' (every vote counts) as electors chosen by the political parties are the ones who cast the actual votes. There are the same amount of electors for each member of House of Representatives that a state has. The # of Reps that a state gets is based off their population. This is why it is representing the republic aspect of America, as it is electors chosen by the people (via electing those political figures into office who decide on the electors).

Answer 6

It may come to a surprise to you that electors don't actually vote on Election Day, but instead sometime in December. It is then that the group of electors from each state typically vote by the majority of their districts.

Answer 7

For example, say a state has 11 districts. Six of them were for Trump, and five of them were for Clinton. Since Trump got the majority of Districts, ALL of the electors would vote for Trump.

Answer 8

You could make an argument for this not 'encompassing' all the votes, yet this runs into issues of being against a majority based system. And typically you want a representative (president) who expresses the views of the country broadly.

Answer 9

@DanielleLove Does that give you a good idea of how it's controversial?

Answer 10

Some electors don't vote status quo, as per the 11 districts example. Rogue voters sometimes vote for Clinton even though the majority of districts voted for Trump. Some states have laws against this, whilst others don't.

Answer 11

This is extremely rare though.

Answer 12

Let me know if you have any further questions. I am currently working through a survey for my Psychology class at the moment.

Answer 13

wow that's impressive

Answer 14

thank you so much!

Answer 15

No problem.

I didn't want to bore you with explaining the semantics, as there are plenty of more brief summaries of the system out there at your disposal, if you so need. If you need more information on the controversy, I would recommend googling pros and cons of the electoral college. You'll likely find some good stuff. This is only a passing interest of mine.

Answer 16

The Electoral College contradicts the everyone's vote counts/are equal, examples -> the so many times when the popular vote is won but lost the electoral college votes😔