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Quakertrucker · 70-79, M
Actually, the reason for the Electoral College was to get smaller states on board to support the constitution.
Then, as now, if one only used the popular vote, a handful of highly populated states (7 or so) - California, New York, Florida, for example - could elect the president over the combined vote of all the smaller states - Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Alaska, etc.
Since all states have an equal number of senators - regardless of population - and since a state's number of electoral college members is based on the total number of senators and congresspersons, the smaller states have a disproportionate weight in the Electoral College given their populations.
I think there are arguments on both sides. The social, political, economic interests of light and heavily populated states can differ widely, and the Electoral College helps balance those interests.
On the other hand, the Electoral College can give double or triple the voting power to a person from a state with a small population as opposed to one with a large population. This does not always seem fair.
I think the electoral college system should be kept, albeit with some adjustments and tweaks.
Quakertrucker
Then, as now, if one only used the popular vote, a handful of highly populated states (7 or so) - California, New York, Florida, for example - could elect the president over the combined vote of all the smaller states - Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Alaska, etc.
Since all states have an equal number of senators - regardless of population - and since a state's number of electoral college members is based on the total number of senators and congresspersons, the smaller states have a disproportionate weight in the Electoral College given their populations.
I think there are arguments on both sides. The social, political, economic interests of light and heavily populated states can differ widely, and the Electoral College helps balance those interests.
On the other hand, the Electoral College can give double or triple the voting power to a person from a state with a small population as opposed to one with a large population. This does not always seem fair.
I think the electoral college system should be kept, albeit with some adjustments and tweaks.
Quakertrucker
