How the electoral process works.

[KarlXII]

Got this in my Spam mail today.

Voter writes down the name of the candidate he most favors as dictator.

Voter writes down the name of the party he most prefers.

Both names are converted to numbers using the enigma code. These numbers are jumbled at random and added together.

Voter proceeds to name his favorite flavor of ice-cream. If his original candidate likes the same flavor, one adds 1,000 onto the previous score. If the candidate does not, one deducts 1,000 points. These values are doubled if the voter has a high perception skill. If the candidate does not eat ice cream because he is a vegan, then a Green Party member has somehow got in and a new election must be called.

Resultant number is subsequently divided by fifteen and rounded up to one decimal point.

A +2 die of entanglement is thrown. The outcome is multiplied by the first number of which the voter thought.

Voter chooses a card from the deck. If it is a black card, one deducts 100. If the card is red, one adds 150. If it is a joker, repeat previous step. Threes and nines are wild - four buys another card. If the current Warlord is a Republican, all black cards are removed from deck before play.

This final figure may be skewed by the electoral campaigns, which take the form of a gathering of color-coded, but otherwise identical monkeys flinging [expletive] at each other.

On voting day, voter inputs number into RepubliCom voting machine and collects fuel coupons.

Final tallies are added together for each state, then ignored as the Electoral College decides it with a coin toss.

[ICantSpellDawg]

That is bizarre. Our Electoral system is very straight forward and is based on the number of Representatives and Senators from each state added together (plus the number of the State with the lowest congressional value given to DC - currently 3), as mentioned in the constitution. Whoever wins the State's popular vote wins all of the electors (with minor exception). This is another reason why we are a Constitutional Republic.

I like the electoral College. It makes sense and is workable.

[CrossLOPER]

Internet 1.0 ftw.

[Koga No Goshi]

That is bizarre. Our Electoral system is very straight forward and is based on the number of Representatives and Senators from each state added together (plus the number of the State with the lowest congressional value given to DC - currently 3), as mentioned in the constitution. Whoever wins the State's popular vote wins all of the electors. That is why we are a Constitutional Republic.

I like the electoral College. It makes sense and is workable.

You could cut the electoral college voters out of the process altogether and just make it a state electoral vote system and it would still work just as well.

The system is archaic, superfluous and an unnecessary middleman between the vote and the result.

[ICantSpellDawg]

You could cut the electoral college voters out of the process altogether and just make it a state electoral vote system and it would still work just as well.

So keep the system, ditch the ceremonial voters? I'd agree to that. It would probably save some money.

[Koga No Goshi]

So keep the system, ditch the ceremonial voters? I'd agree to that. It would probably save some money.

I think the thing with that is that once you ditch the voters questions come up about why keep the electoral system at all. In effect, the prime argument I hear to defend it (that it's kind of a cushion to make sure people aren't voting themselves in a dictator or something, over and over) has been made somewhat obsolete by both the primary system and term limits.

[ICantSpellDawg]

I think the thing with that is that once you ditch the voters questions come up about why keep the electoral system at all. In effect, the prime argument I hear to defend it (that it's kind of a cushion to make sure people aren't voting themselves in a dictator or something, over and over) has been made somewhat obsolete by both the primary system and term limits.

No it hasn't. The primary system is not a government system - I don't trust it and I have no control over it because I am not a Republican or Democrat. The electoral college ensures that most states are considered in elections instead of Cali, Texas, Florida, New York, Il and Ohio. It gives a voice to the people in suburban or rural areas who would be marginalized by rather homogeneous metropolitan votes across the board. It also ensures a web of acceptance for the winning candidate instead of center-coastal split.

Good idea about getting rid of the actual electors, they are unnecessary.

Also, when were voters "ditched"? You mean when we were forming our government and writing the Constitution?

Your guy is winning electoral votes by a huge margin because he convinced a more varied swathe of Americans that he was the right candidate for the job. Even though he doesn't have half the vote yet, he is still leading by big electoral numbers. He has done a better job in his campaign.

[Koga No Goshi]

No it hasn't. The primary system is not a government system - I don't trust it and I have no control over it because I am not a Republican or Democrat. The electoral college ensures that most states are considered in elections instead of Cali, Texas, Florida, New York, Il and Ohio. It gives a voice to the people in suburban or rural areas who would be marginalized by rather homogeneous metropolitan votes across the board. It also ensures a web of acceptance for the winning candidate instead of center-coastal split.

Good idea about getting rid of the actual electors, they are unnecessary.

Also, when were voters "ditched"? You mean when they were forming our government and writing the Constitution?

...huh? I may be missing something but I'm lost what you mean with the ditched question.

At any rate, another interpretation of the electoral college system is that it basically hands decision on the election to the same 3-9 states (or even just 1 or 2 in some elections). I'm not a fan of it, obviously.

I don't think the whole nation should be decided by "hmmm will the retirees and Jewish communities in Florida call it for the guy who wants to cut medicare or the guy who is less vocal supporting Israel?"

[ICantSpellDawg]

...huh? I may be missing something but I'm lost what you mean with the ditched question.

"I think the thing with that is that once you ditch the voters" - you've just said it. My reply insinuated that by your standard they were never "on board" in the first place, since the electoral college was enshrined in the Constitution.

[Koga No Goshi]

"I think the thing with that is that once you ditch the voters" - you've just said it. My reply insinuated that by your standard they were never "on board" in the first place, since the electoral college was enshrined in the Constitution.

Oh by voters I mean if we get rid of the "ceremonial electoral voters", I don't know the technically correct term. Delegates? Electoral voters?

[ICantSpellDawg]

...huh? I may be missing something but I'm lost what you mean with the ditched question.

At any rate, another interpretation of the electoral college system is that it basically hands decision on the election to the same 3-9 states (or even just 1 or 2 in some elections). I'm not a fan of it, obviously.

I don't think the whole nation should be decided by "hmmm will the retirees and Jewish communities in Florida call it for the guy who wants to cut medicare or the guy who is less vocal supporting Israel?"

It isn't decided by Florida. Sometimes it comes down to Florida, but more appropriately that is because the state is split between Dems and Reps, unlike many other states. Whichever candidate wins the majority of their own party and a sizable portion of independents and the other party in a closely split state, that should explain itself why it would be more important than a State that doesn't think too hard about its candidate like New York or South Dakota.

[ICantSpellDawg]

Oh by voters I mean if we get rid of the "ceremonial electoral voters", I don't know the technically correct term. Delegates? Electoral voters?

I see. I thought you meant voters as in the direct and popular vote.

[Koga No Goshi]

It isn't decided by Florida. Sometimes it comes down to Florida, but more appropriately that is because the state is split between Dems and Reps, unlike many other states. Whichever candidate wins the majority of their own party and a sizable portion of independents and the other party in a closely split state, that should explain itself why it would be more important than a State that doesn't think too hard about its candidate like New York or South Dakota.

I was just using it as one example. You know what I meant. And, states like New York, or California, or South Dakota, or Arkansas, don't think much about their candidates because they don't have to. The prevailing mindset is "eh, no matter what we do our state is going x color anyway." So I reiterate my original point, it comes down to a few (or even one) split states deciding it-- rather than the "terrible" scenario of pure popular vote.

[Kadagar_AV]

why isnt it just: one person, one vote... Whoever gets the most votes wins.

Too easy?

[drone]

why isnt it just: one person, one vote... Whoever gets the most votes wins.

Too easy?

Yes!

I'd prefer ditching the actual electors, and making the states follow the example of Maine and Nebraska and split their votes by district, with the 2 senate votes going to the overall winner. The disparity in size of Cali, Texas and New York really skew the results.

[yesdachi]

After the lame debate last night I would like to see the vote decided by mortal combat.

The Electoral College is a necessary evil. One man, one vote doesn’t work well for a presidential election, at least in the US.

[Koga No Goshi]

After the lame debate last night I would like to see the vote decided by mortal combat.

The Electoral College is a necessary evil. One man, one vote doesn’t work well for a presidential election, at least in the US.

I don't know what you would base that on, since we've never done direct democracy or election.

[yesdachi]

I don't know what you would base that on, since we've never done direct democracy or election.

You don’t have to do something to know it isn’t right.

The Electoral College prevents the wealthy politician the ability to pander to the heavily populated states to get the popular vote. A corrupt candidate could make promises to benefit 4 or 5 states and practically crap on the rest and still win the popular vote.

I was about to detail out an example but I don’t think I need to.

[TevashSzat]

You don’t have to do something to know it isn’t right.

The Electoral College prevents the wealthy politician the ability to pander to the heavily populated states to get the popular vote. A corrupt candidate could make promises to benefit 4 or 5 states and practically crap on the rest and still win the popular vote.

I was about to detail out an example but I don’t think I need to.

Compared to now when the wealthy politicians just pander to the few battleground states (Ohio, Florida, ect...) and do basically nothing but be in a major political party to get the party stronghold states and win the presidency?

I would prefer having them pander to states with big populations than those who have lower populations, but are battleground ones

[yesdachi]

Compared to now when the wealthy politicians just pander to the few battleground states (Ohio, Florida, ect...) and do basically nothing but be in a major political party to get the party stronghold states and win the presidency?

I would prefer having them pander to states with big populations than those who have lower populations, but are battleground ones

You make it sound simple but considering how closes and controversial the last election was I think there is more to it than pandering to a few states. Additionally the pandering is just hand shakes and kissing babies rather than the promise of tax cuts and other perks that are state specific like it could be without the EC.

[Koga No Goshi]

You don’t have to do something to know it isn’t right.

The Electoral College prevents the wealthy politician the ability to pander to the heavily populated states to get the popular vote. A corrupt candidate could make promises to benefit 4 or 5 states and practically crap on the rest and still win the popular vote.

I was about to detail out an example but I don’t think I need to.

Wait, when so many elections come down to like 1-5 states, how does our system prevent this?

[KarlXII]

All this over a simple joke?

[Koga No Goshi]

All this over a simple joke?

Very controversial topics typically are the target of humor. ;)

[Kadagar_AV]

Ok, so I ask again... since no one really answered.

Why not one person = one vote?

Is two persons in a more populated state worth the same as one person in a less populated state in the US of A?

I just don't get it...

[Koga No Goshi]

Ok, so I ask again... since no one really answered.

Why not one person = one vote?

Is two persons in a more populated state worth the same as one person in a less populated state in the US of A?

I just don't get it...

It's complicated, Kad. I would be in favor of what you are saying, but it's not how our Constitution is set up. But it's a lot of factors from our history. One being the civil war, and the north and south trying to keep their power equal to avert violence. So there is disproportionate weight to many southern states and midwestern states despite their relatively sparse population. Just as one example.

There are not a lot of clear cut "oooooh... I see" reasons why it's "good" and why we use it. The reasons for using/defending it have changed over time as circumstances changed. Originally, as in at the founding of the U.S., it was written in to allow final veto power by the landowning elite to make sure that the "uneducated rabble" didn't vote themselves out of being a democracy by voting themselves in a popular dictator over and over. Electoral voters can commit "infidelity" and not vote for the same candidate as their district they represent did. The consequences for this I don't recall at the moment as this is a rather undusted topic of Constitutional study that isn't visited very often. But I know these electoral voters are not "voted in" nor in any way directly accountable to the voters themselves.

But, you will hear a variety of arguments as to why it's good and works. My cynical answer is, the major parties have adapted to this and all of their strategies revolve around it. I'd go further and say the Republicans are at a marked disadvantage carrying what looks like "most of the country" on a blue vs. red map... but they're largely the unpopulated, large, sparsely developed states in the center of the country. Population centers and major cities and industrialized areas TEND to lean blue.

[Kadagar_AV]

I would love to comment your post... Because I do honestly think the system is stupid.

However, you kind of highlighted the stupid areas, so there is really no need to:)


I will however write something for the trolls.

A)

Electoral voters can commit "infidelity" and not vote for the same candidate as their district they represent did

This is not very democratic, is it? I mean, The word is based on the old greek tradition, this rule goes completly against this tradition... Am I wrong?


B)

it was written in to allow final veto power by the landowning elite to make sure that the "uneducated rabble" didn't vote themselves out of being a democracy by voting themselves in a popular dictator over and over

Does not the constituation say no one can be president for more than two terms (8 years)?

So is this not a moot point?

C)

My cynical answer is, the major parties have adapted to this and all of their strategies revolve around it. I'd go further and say the Republicans are at a marked disadvantage carrying what looks like "most of the country" on a blue vs. red map... but they're largely the unpopulated, large, sparsely developed states in the center of the country. Population centers and major cities and industrialized areas TEND to lean blue.

Meaning a hillbillys vote is worth more than a Yale students?
Interesting form of voting system...

Again: I wrote interesting because these boards have rules about language used.

[ICantSpellDawg]

I like the Electoral College. I like living in a Republic with a transparent, but indirect election for President.

If you'd like to change the rules making it mandatory that electors vote for who their state has chosen to support - fine, but it is written in the Constitution that the individual states have jurisdiction over their electors.

Also - voter fraud is generally more likely in cites - therefore it is reasonable to say that city vote tallies are more likely to be skewed to a higher ratio than those in rural areas. The electoral college helps to protect people in suburban or rural states from larger states that can fudge their books more easily and with exponentially greater results.

[Strike For The South]

Bush is a yale student

[Kadagar_AV]

I like the Electoral College. I like living in a Republic with a transparent, but indirect election for President.

If you'd like to change the rules making it mandatory that electors vote for who their state has chosen to support - fine, but it is written in the Constitution that the individual states have jurisdiction over their electors.

Also - voter fraud is generally more likely in cites - therefore it is reasonable to say that city vote tallies are more likely to be skewed to a higher ratio than those in rural areas. The electoral college helps to protect people in suburban or rural states from larger states that can fudge their books more easily and with exponentially greater results.

Putin already offered to help the US elections fair... So why are you worried about fraud?





SFTS> That says something about the education system in the US, no?

Where I went to university, a dumb like him would have been kicked out long ago:)

[Yoyoma1910]

You don’t have to do something to know it isn’t right.

The Electoral College prevents the wealthy politician the ability to pander to the heavily populated states to get the popular vote. A corrupt candidate could make promises to benefit 4 or 5 states and practically crap on the rest and still win the popular vote.

I was about to detail out an example but I don’t think I need to.

Your understanding is backwards.

This is actually what happens under the electorial college system. Larger states and medium sized are pandered to, while smaller states are most often ignored. The exception is when the race is tight, but still the more electorial votes a state has, the more important.

If the electorial college were removed, and each person's vote counted directly for their candidate state pandering would be obsolete. It wouldn't mater where your vote lived anymore. A state that leans 45 percent Democrat and 55 percent Republican would still be important to the Democrats.



One reason that the Electorial college system will remain in place is that it almost guarantees that third parties will not garner enough votes to affect the final outcome.




The electorial college system was the machination by Alexander Hamilton, who felt that the average person was to ignorant to cast the final vote for their leader. It is not what makes us a constitutional republic. It makes where you live more important than what you believe.