The Electoral College undermines the notion that every vote counts in the United States. One candidate loses; the other becomes the leader of the free world. How do we know which candidate is the victor? The Electoral College determines this. Whoever receives the most votes in a particular state wins the electoral votes for that state. The only exceptions are Maine and Nebraska. The size of the population determines the number of electoral votes for that state and each is represented by a person who casts the votes for that state. This system works when our fore fathers draw up the Constitution, but not in contemporary society. Congress creates amendments to the Constitution relatively frequently, but a 236 year old document determines something as important as the Presidency of the United States. Consider what has changed in this country since its founding. Early era Americans live in one of thirteen colonies. Plantation owners utilize slaves for their work. People not only vote on the President, but the Vice-President as …show more content…
With a candidate needing a majority of 270 electoral votes to win, these states become very important. Notice how no one ever hears about politicians campaigning in Connecticut or Oklahoma. These states are predominantly one party or the other, so their electoral votes are all but given to them. The swing states get more attention because they are the only ones where the electoral votes are up in the air, so those votes carry more weight. In a popular vote system every vote in every state is significant. The nostalgia of the Electoral College pales in comparison to every vote making a difference. In addition, these voters turn out in large numbers and are extremely well informed. In other states this system generates a level of apathy that grows worse every