HowStuffWorks "History of the Electoral College"
How Electoral College works: [summary]
The Electoral College is a controversial mechanism of presidential elections that was created by the framers of the U.S. Constitution as a compromise for the presidential election process. AT THE TIME, some politicians believed a purely popular election was too reckless, while others objected to giving Congress the power to select the president. The compromise was to set up an Electoral College system that allowed voters to vote for electors, who would then cast their votes for candidates, a system described in Article II, section 1 of the Constitution.
the Electoral College includes 538 electors, 535 for the total number of congressional members.
there have been times when electors have voted contrary to the people's decision, which is entirely legal.
there is no federal law that requires an elector to vote according to their pledge (to their respective party). And so, more than a few electors have cast their votes without following the popular vote or their party.
and blah blah blah, read the rest if ya want. So, basically after my entire state votes, it's up to out SEVEN Electors to make the FINAL decision... and they don't even have to follow the parties votes or people's popular vote. And that happens often. Why not skip everything and leave it up to those magic 7 to begin with?
So, if my state votes the majority on one side and we have the majority. and the ELECTORAL COLLEGE votes the other side, how did my one vote count at all. Anyone?
Nice.
How Electoral College works: [summary]
The Electoral College is a controversial mechanism of presidential elections that was created by the framers of the U.S. Constitution as a compromise for the presidential election process. AT THE TIME, some politicians believed a purely popular election was too reckless, while others objected to giving Congress the power to select the president. The compromise was to set up an Electoral College system that allowed voters to vote for electors, who would then cast their votes for candidates, a system described in Article II, section 1 of the Constitution.
the Electoral College includes 538 electors, 535 for the total number of congressional members.
there have been times when electors have voted contrary to the people's decision, which is entirely legal.
there is no federal law that requires an elector to vote according to their pledge (to their respective party). And so, more than a few electors have cast their votes without following the popular vote or their party.
and blah blah blah, read the rest if ya want. So, basically after my entire state votes, it's up to out SEVEN Electors to make the FINAL decision... and they don't even have to follow the parties votes or people's popular vote. And that happens often. Why not skip everything and leave it up to those magic 7 to begin with?
So, if my state votes the majority on one side and we have the majority. and the ELECTORAL COLLEGE votes the other side, how did my one vote count at all. Anyone?
Nice.
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