I’ve written about the Electoral College before in a previous incarnation of this blog. So again I am revisiting this important topic on the eve of our national election.
The United States is a Constitutional Federal Republic. Notice that the word “democracy” is not in our form of government. Our Founding Fathers were brilliant men and knew the dangers of a democracy. This is why they gave us a republic.
The Electoral College is the greatest example of our republic. It ensures that every state in the union has a say on who becomes our president. Without it, the large cities on the coasts would decide by a popular vote. And those of us in the “fly over” country would never have a voice. We lack the numbers to overrule their voices.
Our Founding Fathers were aware of this, even in the 18th century. Thus they created the Electoral College to level the playing field and so every state would have a fair voice.
In the Electoral College system each state gets a 1 vote for each Senator and Representative. Thus Iowa, my home state, currently has 6 votes in the Electoral College.
How these Electors are chosen is up to each state. And what rules they must follow are also up to each state.
Do I think that the Electoral College should be replaced by the popular vote? Absolutely not. For all the reasons already stated and why the Founding Fathers created it in the first place. Do I think there should be changes. Yes there should be some changes.
I do have a couple of reforms that would make the system better than it is today. And be a vote generator for tomorrow. And I think they would help preserve the Republic as well.
At the state level, all the states must follow the lead of Maine and Nebraska and do away with the rule of “winner takes all” method. Thus the number of votes becomes proportional to the win.
This is far more equitable and fair to the candidates. If you get 49% of the popular votes, you should get 49% of the Electoral votes as well. It would also cause the candidates to take every state seriously and improve their campaigns.
The 2nd reform would have to take place at the Federal level. It has been many decades since the last time the House of Representatives was increased due to the increase in population. And now each Representative has far too many constituents to adequately represent them.
Thus, raise the number of Representatives. Lower the maximum number of constituents for each Representative. This also increases the number of Electoral votes available which would in turn increase the number needed to win the Presidency.
Right now, the total of Electoral Votes is 538 and 270 are needed to be President. A simple majority. Hypothetically, if we increase each state my just 1 House member the available Electoral Votes would be 588 and the number needed to win would be 295.
Perhaps, even a 3rd reform would be in order. And it could be taken on it’s own or added to either one of the other 2 reforms. Instead of using a simple majority vote for the Electors, change it to a 2/3rd majority vote.
If this change was made on it’s own. The number of needed Electoral votes would change from 270 to 359 or 360. This would definitely make the candidates and the electorate pay more attention to the campaigns and the issues. And again every state in the union would be important.