american election system: fair or not

[kowalskil]

Electing the US president; how to

To simplify the matter, assume there are only 7 states

State A counts as 5 votes (based on population of that state) Majority voted for X
State B counts as 4 votes ( based on ...). Majority in that state voted for Y
State C counts as 9 votes (based on ... ). Majority in that state voted for X
State D counts as 6 votes (based on ...). Majority in that state voted for Y
State E counts as 14 votes (based on ...) Majority in that state voted for X
State F counts as 6 votes ( based on ...) Majority in that state voted for Y
State G counts as 21 votes (based on ... ) Majority in that state voted for Y

To summarize:

X received 5+9+14=28 votes and Y received 4+6+6+21=37 votes. Y is the winner.

* * *
I do not know why this system is called "Electoral College." In fact, the word "college" confused me for a long time. What does it have to do with colleges in which we study?

Suppose the president is elected by the sytem called "popular vote," used in some other countries.

In that case votes of individual citizens are counted, as illustrated below (this is also a simplification).

State A ==> 22 million voted for X and 3 million voted for Y.
State B ==> 4 million voted for X and 5 million voted for Y.
State C ==> 9 million voted for X and 13 million voted for Y.
State D ==> 12 million voted for X and 3 million voted for Y.
State E ==> 8 million voted for X and 23 million voted for Y.
State F ==> 2 million voted for X and 3 million voted for Y.
State G ==> 11 million voted for X and 8 million voted for Y.

To summarize:

X ==> 22+4+9+12+8+2+11=68 million
Y ==> 3+5+13+3+23+3+8 =58 million

In this case X is the winner. Is this fair or not? See:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/03/op...ml?ref=opinion

http://www.archives.gov/federal-regi...ege/about.html


Ludwik Kowalski,
http://csam.montclair.edu/~kowalski/life/intro.html

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[Jennifer23]

Hi Kowalski. I've always thought that a popular vote is the way to go. That would mean that the individual's vote would count, no matter what state.

[DACDjr]

Agree'd Jen.. With the way it is now, We are "C".... C our way out of the election as our vote don't count... lmao


ahem.... okay byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[IRISH_EYES_99]

No matter who you voted for your vote counted. Your person may or may not have won the election, but your vote counted. I know my vote counted as many that I did vote for got into or were reelected to the office.

Keep voting. Keep doing your homework. Don't let someone do your thinking for you, let them know your thoughts count.

[Jennifer23]

I live in Maryland Irish, and Md. always votes Democratic. There are local issues to vote for, but as far as the Presidential election goes, my vote doesn't matter. As long as the electoral college exists there will be states that will be automatically Dem or Repub. One possible fix would be this: If a state had 20 electoral votes and the popular vote within that state was 50% to 48%, then each candidate would receive that percentage of the electoral vote (like 11 for the winner and 9 for the loser).

[PriscillaMS]

Federalist Papers - Hamilton is quite eloquent I think.

[Jennifer23]

I'll have to check that out, Priss. Thanks. Alot of those old guys were pretty f'in smart.