The Significance And Legitimacy Of American Voting Essay, Research Paper
In the 1996 United States presidential election, only 49 percent of the voting age population cast a ballot (Federal Election Committee). Only 56 percent of whites voted, followed by 50 percent of African American, and only 27 percent of Hispanics (Federal Election Committee). With such low voter turnout, one must wonder about the cause of this epidemic. Voting is a right that Americans once took great pride in. The right to vote allows Americans not only say in who runs the government, but also affects their freedom and future. Or does it? The United States uses an institution called the Electoral College, not the vote of the people, to choose the president. In this system, each state Electoral College receives a certain numbers of votes. All of these votes go to the candidate who receives the majority in that particular state (Federal Election Committee). Whichever candidate receives the most electoral votes nationally wins (Federal Election Committee). So, it is not truly the people who decide who will lead them. In the United States, a supposed democracy, the Electoral College renders individual voting meaningless.
One reason that the Electoral College has contributed to the apathy of American voters is that it does not allow citizens a real say in presidential elections. According to the Constitution, the people are the source of government power, yet they are not permitted to choose their leader. In presidential elections, individual votes are not even counted (Citizens for True Democracy). The only voice that voters have is through the election of delegates to the electoral colleges (Federal Election Commission). The electoral colleges also cause the individual vote to become pointless by using a ?winner-takes-all? system in many states (Citizens for True Democracy). In these systems, all of a state?s electoral votes go to the candidate who gathered a majority vote. In many elections, candidates who didn?t receive the highest percentage of the popular vote were still elected president because they received enough votes from the Electoral College. For example, in the presidential election of 1824, John Quincy Adams was elected president with 108,740 popular votes, even though Andrew Jackson received 153,544 votes (Bailey, Kennedy, and Cohen A28). Such a system does not accurately reflect the wishes of the citizens in this ?democratic? nation.
Another flaw in the Electoral College system is the unequal distribution of electoral votes among states. The current system gives each state a number of electors equal to its number of United States senators (2), plus one for each of its United States Representatives (Federal Election Commission). This favors small states, which receive at least three electoral votes. In 1996, California, for example, received 54 electoral votes for its total population of 29,760,021 people, which is one vote per every .0000018 person (National Archives and Records Administration). Alaska, however, with its total population of 550,043, in that same year received three electoral votes, one per every .0000054 person (National Archives and Records Administration). Therefore, the vote of someone from a large state is worth less than the vote of a person from a smaller state (Citizens for True Democracy).
Lastly, the Electoral College negatively affects voting legitimacy by favoring the two main political parties, while ignoring third party candidates. The ?winner-takes-all? system of the Electoral College greatly harms third parties. In the 1992 presidential race, third party candidate Ross Perot won approximately twelve percent of the popular vote, yet did not a receive a single electoral vote (Citizens for True Democracy). The Electoral College affects third party candidates indirectly as well. Because of repeated failures, few people vote for a third party candidate because they know that person does not have a good chance of winning the election (Citizens for True Democracy).
Because of the Electoral College, voting in America has practically no legitimacy. The Electoral College harms the country by allowing unequal representation in some states, and by ignoring third party candidates. It keeps Americans citizens from having a true voice in choosing who will govern them. Only by abolishing the Electoral College can America truly be the democratic nation that it believes itself to be.
The Affects of the Electoral College on the Significance and Legitimacy of American Voting
PAGE
Bailey, Thomas A., David M. Kennedy, and Lizabeth Cohen. The American Pageant. New York:
Houghton Mifflin Company, 1998.
Citizens for True Democracy. ?Electoral College Problems.? truedemocracy
2/12/99
Federal Election Commission. ?About Elections and Election Administration.? fec.gov/
2/12/99
Другие работы по теме:
Time For Reform Considering The Failures Of
The Electoral College Essay, Research Paper Time For Reform? Considering The Failures of The Electoral College Description: This paper discusses the many shortcomings of the Electoral College,
The Electoral College And Proposed Reform Policies
Essay, Research Paper The Electoral College and Proposed Reform Policies Receiving 300,000 more votes than his best opponent, Candidate A was clearly the favorite among the eight million citizens who placed their vote. Much to his and the rest of the country s surprise, however, he was not elected due to a legal ramification that instead awarded the office to Candidate B.
Electoral College Must Stand Essay Research Paper
The Founding Fathers wrote the Electoral College into the United States Constitution as insurance against popular passion electing the chief executive into office. They believed there needed to be a buffer between the people and election of the president. Also a concern of the forefathers was they did not want the states with a larger population to completely overshadow the states with a smaller populace.
Electoral College Persuassive Essay Essay Research Paper
~Electoral College~ In the United States we are all guaranteed one vote per person. Everyone has an equal voice in electing the people that serve in the government. Every four years during the month of November citizens of America go to the polls to vote for a president and vice-president of the United States.
No Electoral College Essay Research Paper In
No Electoral College Essay, Research Paper In with the Popular Vote, out with the Electoral College The recent Presidential election between Al Gore and George W. Bush has sparked a controversial flame among American citizens. Should we keep the Electoral College, or is it time to get rid of it and go by the Nation s Popular Vote? The Electoral College worked when it was first created, but problems have been coming up and deciding the President would be more efficient, and less problem-laden if Americans awarded the Presidency to the winner of the popular vote.
Electoral College Reform Essay Research Paper In
Electoral College Reform Essay, Research Paper In order to increase the ease of creating and establishing a federal government with a central figure of office, the framers of the Constitution created the Electoral College. The College was formed to ease the process of electing a president every four years.
Electoral College Vs Popular Vote Essay Research
Paper Electoral College Vs. Popular Vote. When given this assignment I had no clue what topic I might choose. I waited and waited until the recent elections blew up in my face. This past election was a learning experience for me because I just turned 18. This was the first year I could ever vote and a weird election like this occurred.
The Electoral College And The Influence Of
California Essay, Research Paper Peter Robinson Examine the operation of the Electoral College in Presidential elections and consider the view that a candidate who cannot win California cannot win the Presidency. In what ways has the balance of power in the Electoral College shifted in recent years?
The Electoral College How Effective Is It
? Essay, Research Paper The Electoral College: How Effective Is It? Our founding fathers wanted to devise a plan to elect the executive branch of the government without it being affected by partisan politics. In the beginning, they instituted and stated in Article 2, Section 1, of the Constitution, the method of selecting electors is delegated to the separate state legislatures, and the voting procedure to be followed by the electors is carefully defined (Encarta, History).
Vote Essay Research Paper Why should Americans
Vote Essay, Research Paper Why should Americans exercise their right to vote? Why should we vote? Is it really worth our time? The answer is YES . People say that one vote won t change the outcome, but take a look at Florida! Right now, the election of our president is in the people of Florida s hands. [Your] one vote is very important.
Ellectoral College Essay Research Paper The Electoral
Ellectoral College Essay, Research Paper The Electoral College has been used to elect the President since the beginnings of the United States. In the two hundred some odd years of history, there have been instances when the college did not work. There have been many ideas that have floated around about fixing the problem with the electorate.
Electoral College 2 Essay Research Paper Electoral
Electoral College 2 Essay, Research Paper Electoral College: It s time for reform It s not fair. It s not fair to the candidates running for office, not fair to the campaign volunteers and especially not fair to the American people. Although the Electoral College System was originally considered to be a brilliant innovation that cleverly solved a cluster of 18th-century problems, as we approach the 21st century, we confront different problems and our constitutional system of presidential selection does not look so brilliant.
Analysis Of College Pressures Essay Research
Paper Analysis of College Pressures In the essay College Pressures , William Zinsser shows parents the burdens that college students have while they are in school. In the essay he states the four pressures that the students face: economic, parental, peer, and self-induced.
Us Democracy Essay Research Paper Ant V
Us Democracy Essay, Research Paper Ant? V. Williams Political Science 1101 February 1, 2001 It’s Not Right, Get Rid of It In theory, the United States became a democracy when we signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. This theory is not true. The textbook defines a democracy as a system of government in which ultimate political authority is vested in the people, of course you know that this is just not so.
Causes Of Student Drinking Essay Research Paper
College drinking is a growing problem amoung colleges and universites across the country. It has been estimated that at least ten percent of college students are problem drinkers, or “pre-alcoholics.” This problem is a serious one. Each year, more and more students resort to college drinking for a number of various reasons.
Electoral College Is Wrong Essay Research Paper
The Electoral College is the name given to a group of electors who are nominated by political activists and party members within the states. The electoral college really isn’t necessary and should be abolished. There are numerous reasons why this is so. With the Electoral College in affect third parties don’t have a chance to become the president, which isn’t fair.
Why Do People Go To College Essay
, Research Paper Why do people go to college? One main reason is to increase their chances of getting a job. Most employers will hire a person with a college degree. Some believe that if a person goes through all the trouble of going to college, this might mean he will work harder and better. Anoth er main reason is the salary.
Electoral College Is No Longer A Functional
System Essay, Research Paper The electoral college has been our method of electing presiden’s sinc eth constitution was formed. With increasing popoulations and the addition of third parties, it can be
Electoral College 2 Essay Research Paper The
Electoral College 2 Essay, Research Paper The Undisputable Necessity for the Electoral College Criticism as to the relevancy of the Electoral College system used in our presidential elections has been around since the implementation of the system into our constitution. This criticism, however, is without true reason and common sense added into these assumptions.
Electoral College System Essay Research Paper After
Electoral College System Essay, Research Paper After the last presidential election, which is still underway apparently, there is much controversy over what should happen to the Electoral College system. There are people who say that the Electoral College is good but should be modified to meet the needs of the modern world.
Electoral College Essay Research Paper Electoral CollegeThe
Electoral College Essay, Research Paper Electoral College The Electoral College, friend or foe? The answer behind this question is in the minds of those that understand it. Whether it be a “friend” or a “foe” there will always be opposing sides and a controversial verse. Since the political circumstance of today, the Electoral College seems to be the topic in every conversation and the thesis to every essay.
Electoral College Should Be Here To Stay
Essay, Research Paper Title: The Electoral College Should Be Here to Stay General Purpose: To persuade Specific Purpose: To persuade individuals that the Electoral College is not at fault for the
Electoral College Essay Research Paper ELECTORAL COLLEGEElectoral
Electoral College Essay, Research Paper ELECTORAL COLLEGE Electoral College, the constitutional system for the ELECTION of the PRESIDENT and VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. It is the collective name for a group of electors, nominated by political parties within the states and popularly elected, who meet to vote for those two offices.
History Of Electoral College Essay Research Paper
HISTORY OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE The Electoral College is the name for the electors who nominally choose the president and vice president of the United States. Each of the states receives a certain number of electors, which is determined by the total number of senators and representatives it sends to the U.S.
Should The Electoral College Be Reformed Essay
, Research Paper The body that elects the presidents and vice-presidents of the United States is known as the electoral college. Article 2, Section I, of the Constitution provides that each state “shall appoint” as many presidential electors as the state has members of Congress. (Three is the smallest number of electors a state may have, since every state has two senators and at least one member of the House of Representatives.) The Constitution gives the legislature of each state the authority to decide how that state’s presidential electors are chosen, and every state has provided that the electors shall be directly elected by the voters.
College Vs High School Essay Research Paper
From my college experience, I hope to gain many things. Obviously college is a time that students can truly become individuals. When I attend college I will have the opportunity to
Paul Ryan Essay Research Paper Dear Paul
Paul Ryan Essay, Research Paper Dear Paul Ryan: Do we really need the Electoral College? I?m writing to you saying that we really don?t need it. I am looking forward in voting in my future years for further elections, but is the Electoral College really needed? I believe that the way that our country votes is wrong.
Us Election Essay Research Paper 1 How
Us Election Essay, Research Paper 1. How elect a US President? The rules of US Constitution specifies that a president must be elected every four years. Candidates must be at least 35 years old and a US citizen born in the USA.
Presidential Election Fact O Essay Research
Paper The Presidential Election of 2000: Fact or Farce When the subject of the Presidential Election is brought up, most people think of all the chaos that was caused between Florida and the rest of us. What I would like to state to you today is about how our electoral system is out of date and how it goes against everything that we should do to elect the proper president.
College Alcoholism Essay Research Paper Alcohol consumption
College Alcoholism Essay, Research Paper Alcohol consumption has been an issue across college campuses for many decades. College students have made alcohol the representation of student life at colleges throughout the nation. Students believe that getting intoxicated is necessary to make their college experience unforgettable.
The US Presidential Election Essay Research Paper
The United States has recently elected a new president. The two frontrunners for the presidency were George Bush and Al Gore. It was a close race all way up to Election Day. There was some controversy over the ballads, which prolonged the election. In some states their had to be a recount to see who would win that states electoral votes.
Debat3 Essay Research Paper The 2000 Presidential
Debat3 Essay, Research Paper The 2000 Presidential election between Vice-President Al Gore and Texas Governor George W. Bush was and still is a close campaign. This race has still not ended due to the closeness in the state of Florida primarily and the state of Oregon. Florida which contains 25 electoral college votes was and still is to close to call, which means that the race is close as of last time that I had checked the race was only separated by about 1800 votes.