Change to popular vote for president?

[Larry Gude]

Enjoy...

There were a lot of different proposals that were floated around before the Constitution was finalized. It's amazing they were able to finish the thing. I'd like to chat more, this is an interesting subject, but I've got to do final preps for our trip tomorrow. Gotta head out for DCA at O-dark-30.

...It'll keep.

 

[This_person]

...I mean, you want a more accurate reflection, yet this is a state issue and you have no practical reason to go to an apportioned format other than a perception that it is, somehow, maybe, a more accurate reflection of the will of the people. Typically, there are two choices. That's it. As far as I can tell, the will of the people has been reflected for over 200 years now.

You are absolutely correct that it is a state issue

US Constitution
Article II, Section I​

Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.

The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.​

What's being suggested is that the states choose to appoint their electors based upon the breakdown within the state, not a winner take all. Some states (doesn't Maine do this too? I know it's more than just Nebraska) do this, most do not. The idea is to have the electoral college still exist, as is, no changes, but to have the states do a better job of representing their people.

 

[This_person]

...God for that.

The founders knew, if nothing else, that passion usually makes bad decisions. To that end, the devised the ground rules, our three branches for instance, that tended towards more deliberate consideration.

Electoral College (United States) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia




I like it.

I like it too. Too bad we screwed up that state-based Senate thing.

 

[Larry Gude]

Again...

The idea is to have the electoral college still exist, as is, no changes, but to have the states do a better job of representing their people.

...as I said to Tony, until I see an analysis of how it would have actually affected the last 5 or 6 contests differently, how is it any different than now? Do we really want races that last four years because that's how long it's gonna take if someone figures the math that they need to hit every state and every Congressional district.

That's 435 visits if they hit them once each. McCain's been to New Hampshire that many times the last two years.

 

[This_person]

...as I said to Tony, until I see an analysis of how it would have actually affected the last 5 or 6 contests differently, how is it any different than now? Do we really want races that last four years because that's how long it's gonna take if someone figures the math that they need to hit every state and every Congressional district.

That's 435 visits if they hit them once each. McCain's been to New Hampshire that many times the last two years.

The math of how it would have effected the last few elections is really not relevant, is it?

The idea is for the most people to be properly represented. In an era of internet, many 24 hour news channels, mass snail mail and e-mail, radio, etc., etc., a candidate really never needs to leave his/her living room to "visit" and get his/her message out to most people. We're talking about having 40% of California, of New York, of Maryland, etc., etc., actually represented in election years.

While I haven't (and won't) do the district by district math, my best guess is that the largest change in the outcomes of recent elections would be that there never would have been a Clinton in the White House, and there would have been no squabbling over who actually won any election since. But, that's really not the point - the point is to have an Electoral College, for all of it's benefits, yet have the people actually represented.

 

[This_person]

I know