Rathan Duggirala: Understanding the Electoral College, a unique feature of U.S. democracy
Imagine a presidential election in which the candidate with the most votes doesn't win. Sound impossible? In the United States, it's happened multiple times, thanks to a unique feature of American democracy: the Electoral College.
This system, which has shaped presidential elections since the country's founding, continues to spark debate and controversy. But what exactly is the Electoral College, and why does it wield such power in choosing our president?
The Electoral College was crafted by the Founding Fathers and outlined in Article II of the Constitution. The goal was to balance power between states, giving both smaller and larger ones a voice in choosing the president. It consists of 538 electors with a majority of 270 electoral votes needed to elect the president.
Each state is allocated electoral votes based on its representation in Congress — one for each member of the Senate and the House of Representatives. This system gives every state a minimum of three electoral votes, as each state has at least one representative and two senators. The District of Columbia is also allocated three electoral votes.
Electors are chosen by the candidate's political party to represent a state. When you vote in the presidential election, you are actually voting for the candidate's preferred electors. In most states, the winner accumulates all electoral votes towards their total, with exceptions for Maine and Nebraska. This setup was intended to create a fairer election process, especially for states with smaller populations.
Throughout history, the Electoral College has been the deciding factor in presidential elections, sometimes with unexpected or even unfair results. For instance, in 1824, when no candidate won a majority of electoral votes, the House of Representatives intervened and selected John Quincy Adams as president, even though Andrew Jackson had won the popular vote.
In more recent memory, the 2000 election ended with George W. Bush becoming president, even though Al Gore had received over half a million more votes nationwide. Likewise, in 2016, Donald Trump won the presidency with an Electoral College majority, while Hillary Clinton led in the popular vote by nearly 3 million.
The debate over the Electoral College has remained strong, with compelling arguments on both sides. Supporters of the Electoral College argue that it encourages candidates to campaign in small and rural states, which might otherwise be neglected in favor of larger, more populous states, and that this could result in a more balanced representation of the country's diverse interests. Those in favor also argue that the Electoral College helps to prevent a tyranny of the majority so that a single region or demographic group cannot dominate the political landscape.
Those in favor of abolishing the Electoral College argue that it undermines the democratic principle of "one person, one vote," creating a system that disproportionately benefits smaller states. They also argue that the Electoral College has more power over American democracy than the people themselves.
In recent years, proposals to reform or eliminate the system have gained traction. One prominent initiative, the National Popular Vote bill, was introduced in Congress in 2019 and sought to abolish the Electoral College by incentivizing states to award their electoral votes to the candidate who wins the national popular vote. Under NPV, states would pass legislation pledging to award their electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote, rather than the winner of their own state's vote.
This approach is designed to maintain the original intent of the Electoral College while ensuring that the president is chosen by a majority of the country's voters. Other proposed reforms include a system of proportional representation, where states allocate electoral votes based on population density, or a national primary system that would hold all primaries on the same day such that the nominee isn't selected before some individuals have a chance to vote.
The Electoral College remains a contentious yet vital part of American democracy, shaping presidential elections and sparking ongoing debate. Its impact on the outcome of elections is undeniable, and the discussions surrounding its relevance are important. As citizens, it is crucial to understand this unique system and engage in debates about its future. Whether the Electoral College evolves or gives way to new methods, our participation ensures that the power of the vote and the voice of the people remain central to our nation's governance.
