Dyson Op-Ed

[awpitt (Premo)]

Has anyone read Roy Dyson's Op-Ed on SOMD?

http://somd.com/news/headlines/2007/5553.shtml

The Electoral College has been a subject of discussion before in there forums but Roy wrote about specific legislation that is before his committee that would change the way Maryland allocates its ten Electoral votes. I’m not sure this is how I would like it to go but it is an interesting proposal. I actually favor the way Nebraska does it.

[Bavarian]

As usual, Roy Dyson's logic is flawed. Electing a President by National Popular vote will allow a few big states to still have the say. The Electroal College is in place so that the President is representative of the States. Rember, this is a Republic, not a Democracy, as Benjimin Franklin and the Pledge of Alleigence show.
The other big problem with a national popular vote is that in cases of close elections, a nationwide recount would be needed, imagine the hanging chads and pregnant chads farce of Florida nationwide.
If there is a national popular vote, why bother having states?

[budman473]

So what happened to the US Constitution?

[awpitt (Premo)]

Originally Posted by budman473

So what happened to the US Constitution?

Nothing happened to the the US Constitution. It right where it's always been. As was discussed in a related thread, the US Constitution leaves it to each state to determine how its electors are allocated. The legislation mentioned in Dyson’s Op-Ed is how Md will allocate its electors, assuming enough other states; totaling 270 electoral votes pass identical legislation. If that doesn’t happen, than nothing changes.

[budman473]

Originally Posted by awpitt

Nothing happened to the the US Constitution. It right where it's always been. As was discussed in a related thread, the US Constitution leaves it to each state to determine how its electors are allocated. The legislation mentioned in Dyson’s Op-Ed is how Md will allocate its electors, assuming enough other states; totaling 270 electoral votes pass identical legislation. If that doesn’t happen, than nothing changes.

According to what I have read and correct me if I am wrong. If enacted, the way MD would allocate their electoral votes would be based on the national popular vote and not the wishes of the majority of Marylanders. If that is the case the choice of the majority of Marylanders would mean nothing.

[awpitt (Premo)]

Originally Posted by budman473

According to what I have read and correct me if I am wrong. If enacted, the way MD would allocate their electoral votes would be based on the national popular vote and not the wishes of the majority of Marylanders. If that is the case the choice of the majority of Marylanders would mean nothing.

Not true. The choice of the majority of Marylanders will be meaningful. This legislation has been enacted and signed into law. Now, in order for it to “kick in”, there has to be enough other states, that enact identical legislation, to equal at least 270 electoral votes. This would mean that the candidate who wins the national popular vote would also win the Electoral College. This would mean that candidates would have to pay more attention to Maryland. To be honest, as I’ve said before in other threads, this is not my favorite choice but I like it more than the current system. My favorite choice would be for all states to follow Nebraska’s and Maine’s systems where electors are allocated based on congressional districts with the exception of two being allocated based on the state wide vote.

[budman473]

Originally Posted by awpitt

Not true. The choice of the majority of Marylanders will be meaningful. This legislation has been enacted and signed into law. Now, in order for it to “kick in”, there has to be enough other states, that enact identical legislation, to equal at least 270 electoral votes. This would mean that the candidate who wins the national popular vote would also win the Electoral College. This would mean that candidates would have to pay more attention to Maryland. To be honest, as I’ve said before in other threads, this is not my favorite choice but I like it more than the current system. My favorite choice would be for all states to follow Nebraska’s and Maine’s systems where electors are allocated based on congressional districts with the exception of two being allocated based on the state wide vote.

Thanks for the info regarding Nebraska and Maine. Sorry I have not seen your other threads regarding this subject, just started on here this week.
Maybe Maryland should elect statewide office holders based on delegation district breakdown.

[awpitt (Premo)]

Originally Posted by budman473

Thanks for the info regarding Nebraska and Maine. Sorry I have not seen your other threads regarding this subject, just started on here this week.
Maybe Maryland should elect statewide office holders based on delegation district breakdown.

Hey... You're welcome... and welcome to the SOMD Forums. A lot of good folks here. You're gonna have fun.

[MMDad]

Originally Posted by awpitt

The choice of the majority of Marylanders will be meaningful.

That is not true. Example: Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson run for President. Every Maryland voter votes for Sharpton. The majority of the U.S. votes for Jackson. All of Maryland's electoral college votes go to Jackson. The vote of every single Maryland voter is thrown out and given to someone who did not receive one vote.

And you think this is better?

[Pete (Premo)]

Originally Posted by MMDad

That is not true. Example: Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson run for President. Every Maryland voter votes for Sharpton. The majority of the U.S. votes for Jackson. All of Maryland's electoral college votes go to Jackson. The vote of every single Maryland voter is thrown out and given to someone who did not receive one vote.

And you think this is better?

This is true. Maryland needs to send it's slate of electors to vote how Maryland votes and not a consortium of "other states". I would be willing to entertain splitting up the electors by district instead of winner take all, but I am totally against any crazy ass ponzi scheme tying Maryland electors to ANYTHING other than how Maryland voters vote. I don't give a rats ass about Michigan, Mississippi or Rhode Island votes.